Joe and Karen Walsh Test Nasal Spray to Slow Alzheimer’s Progression

Boston, Massachusetts, USA – May 30, 2025 – Joe Walsh, a 78-year-old Alzheimer’s patient, and his wife, Karen, are at the forefront of a groundbreaking study at Mass General Brigham’s Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment in Boston, testing an experimental nasal spray called foralumab. Developed by Tiziana Life Sciences, the spray delivers a monoclonal antibody designed to reduce brain inflammation, a key contributor to Alzheimer’s progression. Joe, the first Alzheimer’s patient to receive this treatment, has been using the spray for six months, with results published in Clinical Nuclear Medicine showing a significant reduction in brain inflammation.

The Science Behind Foralumab

Foralumab, initially tested for multiple sclerosis (MS), targets inflammation by inducing regulatory cells that suppress microglia, the brain’s immune cells responsible for harmful inflammation in Alzheimer’s. Dr. Howard Weiner, a neurologist at Mass General Brigham who helped develop the spray, believes it could interrupt the cascade of events leading to Alzheimer’s dementia. “It induces regulatory cells that go to the brain and shut down inflammation,” Weiner told NPR, noting his personal connection to the disease after losing his mother to it. Unlike treatments like lecanemab, which target amyloid plaques, foralumab focuses on neuroinflammation, offering a novel approach.

A PET scan after three months of treatment showed a dramatic decrease in inflammation in Joe’s brain, a promising sign reported in Clinical Nuclear Medicine. However, the drug cannot restore lost brain cells, and its impact on cognitive functions like memory and thinking awaits further evaluation through cognitive tests. A clinical trial for foralumab in Alzheimer’s patients is set to begin later in 2025 to assess its broader efficacy.

Joe and Karen’s Journey

Karen Walsh noticed Joe struggling with word-finding in 2017, leading to a 2019 PET scan that confirmed Alzheimer’s through extensive amyloid plaques. Advised by their primary care doctor to seek research studies, Karen faced setbacks when COVID-19 halted clinical trials in 2020, and Joe’s disease progressed beyond eligibility for most studies. In 2024, Dr. Seth Gale at Mass General Brigham enrolled Joe in the foralumab study, making him the first Alzheimer’s patient to try the nasal spray.

After six months, Karen observed subtle improvements in Joe’s social engagement, despite persistent word-finding difficulties. “A couple of guys pick him up once a month for lunch, and they texted me saying, ‘Wow, Joe is really smiling, laughing, and very involved,’” she told NPR. Joe finds the spray easy to use, stating, “It’s easy enough to take, and it feels good.” Karen’s persistence in seeking research opportunities underscores their commitment to advancing Alzheimer’s treatment.

Broader Research Context

Foralumab is one of several nasal spray treatments under investigation for Alzheimer’s. Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch developed a different spray targeting tau protein buildup, showing promise in mouse models by reducing tau aggregates and improving cognitive function. Another study from Texas A&M University used a stem cell-derived nasal spray to reduce inflammation and plaques in mice, with hopes of delaying Alzheimer’s progression by up to 15 years in humans, though human trials are pending.

Experts like Courtney Kloske, PhD, from the Alzheimer’s Association, caution that while these findings are encouraging, human studies are essential to validate results due to differences between mouse and human brains. Jason Krellman, PhD, from Columbia University, emphasized to Medical News Today that human cognition is far more complex, and long-term effects remain uncertain.

Implications and Sentiment

The Walshs’ participation has sparked hope, with X posts like @bobanddianefund highlighting their contribution to Alzheimer’s research. @lacronicadelhe3 noted foralumab’s potential to slow Alzheimer’s by reducing inflammation, reflecting optimism in the scientific community. However, the treatment’s ability to improve cognitive outcomes remains unproven, and experts stress the need for larger trials. For now, Joe and Karen Walsh’s pioneering role offers a glimpse into a potential new frontier in Alzheimer’s treatment, with foralumab’s anti-inflammatory approach marking a significant step forward.