'Medical Food' for Alzheimer's Disease

HOUSTON - A Houston-area doctor says some of his patients are benefiting from a new treatment for Alzheimer's Disease. It is not a shot or pill, but is classified as a medical food.

Dr. Steven Croft is a neurologist with Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital who offers Axona to his Alzheimer's Disease patients.

The Food and Drug Administration classifies Axona as a medical food. Patients do not really eat it. It is just a powder that is added to liquid for patients to drink.

Axona was made to combat Alzheimer's Disease differently than other prescription medications. Doctors say it provides an alternate source of food for the brain. They say this is important, since Alzheimer's Disease patients have significantly decreased amounts of glucose in their brains.

The product has been around for almost a year, but more and more doctors appear to be prescribing it to their patients.

"I've seen some patients make somewhat dramatic improvements. I've had one patient's family member who actually wanted to take the Axona, because he saw the improvement that was occuring in his dad," explains Dr. Croft.

On the other hand, Dr. Croft says that not everyone gets the dramatic effects of Axona. Studies show that patients need to have a certain gene for it to work.

"It may be more like 30 to 50 percent show some improvement," says Dr. Croft.

The improvements have been life altering for some of his patients, though.

"What patients' family members report to me; they seem to be brighter, more energetic, they seem to remember better."

Patients are prescribed to take Axona once a day.

"You can add between 4 to 8 ounces of water, I prefer a bit thicker, so 6 ounces of water," says Dr. Croft.

One of the big concerns that patients have is what this tastes like, so FOX 26 Morning News anchor Melissa Wilson did a little taste test. Some claim Axona tastes like milk, and Wilson agrees. She thought it tasted like vanilla.

Doctors say that Axona can also be added to food like oatmeal, pudding or ice cream instead of water.

Because it is considered a 'medical food,' some health insurance companies will not pay for it.

Dr. Croft tells FOX 26 News that Axona costs between $80 to $100 each month. Medical foods are dietary supplements that help manage diseases or conditions that cause nutritional deficiencies. The Alzheimer's Association does not agree that Alzheimer's Disease causes nutritional deficiencies and requires medical food.

On the Web:

Information about Axona -- http://www.about-axona.com/medicalfood.html

Dr. Steven M. Croft -- http://www.doctorcroft.com/