A trial of a new drug regimen to treat tuberculous meningitis (TBM) has started enrolling adults and adolescents in several countries where tuberculosis is prevalent, the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) said on Thursday.
The trial, sponsored by the NIH, will compare a six-month regimen of four drugs with the nine-month, standard-of-care regimen for TBM.
The study aims to generate evidence that could improve treatment for people with TBM.
The study will shed light on a potentially shorter, better treatment for TBM and could result in improved outcomes for patients with this dangerous disease, saving lives and reducing neurological disabilities, said the NIH.
TBM is fatal in about 25-50 percent of adults who develop the disease and often results in permanent disabilities in survivors, according to the NIH.
