Key points from article :
Alkahest has announced its new study of an extracorporeal medical device.
Designed to improve neuro outlook for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients.
Called AKST1210, it is connected in series extracorporeally with a standard haemodialysis circuit.
It removes Beta-2 microglobulin (B2M) protein from the blood, which increases with age.
B2M is a harmful inflammatory immune-associated protein that impair cognition in animals.
Thought to also affect patients undergoing hemodialysis for ESRD.
Number of patients on dialysis was 2.62 million in 2010.
Large proportion of ESRD patients who receive hemodialysis have cognitive impairment.
Associated with reduced ability for self-care, poor adherence to dietary and fluid restrictions.
Preclinical research showed that B2M is drastically elevated in patients undergoing dialysis.
Reducing this in plasma could treat cognitive impairment in these patients.
