Minocycline in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease

In the course of on-going trials of novel MRI procedures for Neurological Diagnosis, the
investigators have established non-invasive BIOMARKERS (Note: Biomarkers are objective
Laboratory tests used in, but not replacing Clinical diagnostic criteria of any disease,in
this case age-related dementia of the Alzheimer type and its pre-clinical forms including
Mild Cognitive Impairment - MCI) which significantly assist in the Diagnosis of Alzheimer's
Disease. MRS, rather like blood tests which are applied for screening and exclusion of
medical disorders, provides a pattern of brain chemicals from which this and many other
diagnoses have become available (see: Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Neurological
Diagnosis: E.R Danielsen and B.D. Ross, Marcel Dekker New York, 1999). Diagnosis of
Alzheimer's Disease has hitherto been exclusively a clinical diagnosis, made on the basis of
non-specific tests by the treating physician/neurologist. Furthermore, treatments have been
of limited efficacy so that the pressure for conclusive diagnosis or an objective
characterization of disease progression (or better, regression) has not been a priority.
This conservative approach to Alzheimer's Disease changed in 2010 with the Report of
National Institutes of Aging. First: The failures of treatment have been ascribed to
introduction only in patients with advanced disease ("dementia"). Second: A preliminary form
of AD, known as pre-clinical or Mild Cognitive Impairment, has been recognized, distinct
from, and generally earlier in the disease course. Third: A new set of diagnostic criteria,
which include objective 'biomarkers', from cerebrospinal fluid, genetic and imaging
analyzes, has been accepted by the Expert Panel. Finally, Clinical trials of existing and
new drugs for Alzheimer's Disease are expected to yield better results if initiated earlier
- in the pre-clinical phase - and the outcomes evaluated by the earlier changes in an
approved panel of biomarkers.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Cognitively normal elderly subjects between the ages of 55-90 and patients aged 55 -
90 years who have mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or clinically defined Alzheimer's
disease.

Exclusion Criteria:

- Any person with medical devices such as cardiac pacemakers/defibrillators or
neuro-implants as they are contra-indications for MRI/MRS exam.

- Since the effects of MRI are unknown to the fetus or unborn child, any person who is
or may be pregnant will be excluded from the study.

- History of known allergy or intolerance to minocycline or any other tetracycline

- Impaired renal function (plasma Creatinine or BUN at recruitment exceeds twice normal
upper limit for HMH Laboratory), which can result in higher serum levels of
tetracycline, azotemia, hyperphosphatemia and acidosis.