A real-world study confirms that the AMBAR treatment applied in Barcelona slows cognitive decline in a safe and feasible way.
During the prestigious American Society for Apheresis (ASFA 2026), the medical team at Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona presented promising results on the use of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) with albumin in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
This new Real-World Evidence shows that this extracorporeal strategy is not only safe, but also capable of stabilizing cognitive function across different stages of the disease.
What is plasma exchange and how does it work against Alzheimer’s
The treatment consists of removing the patient’s plasma and replacing it with an albumin solution, a protein with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This technique aims to mobilize and eliminate toxic substances linked to the disease.
According to the research presented at ASFA 2026, the key points of the treatment are:
- Slowing of decline: The observed cognitive decline was lower than what is typically reported in the natural course of the disease.
- Clinical stability: 44% of patients were classified as responders, maintaining stable cognitive trajectories.
- Full safety: More than 96% of procedures were free of adverse events, all of them mild and transient.
A real-world advance from Barcelona
Unlike traditional clinical trials, this study was conducted under routine clinical practice conditions in Barcelona. A total of 71 patients completed the 15-month program, demonstrating that the protocol is highly feasible in an outpatient setting.
The results confirm that patients with mild cognitive impairment and mild to moderate Alzheimer’s can benefit from this therapy.
Benefits perceived by families and caregivers
Beyond memory tests, the most relevant finding is the perception of families.
According to global change indicators (PGIC): Most patients remained clinically stable over time.
Perceived rates of decline were very low, reinforcing the benefit in daily quality of life.
Leadership and international collaboration
As founding members of this pioneering program, Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona continues to lead Alzheimer’s research in close collaboration with Grifols. This commitment to innovation allows us to offer patients access to advanced therapies that make a difference.
The combination of early diagnosis and personalized treatments such as plasma exchange is the path to changing the future of the disease.
The evidence presented at ASFA 2026 confirms that we are entering a new era. Plasma exchange is no longer just a laboratory promise, but a clinical reality that helps protect the brain and memory of our patients.
