Elan Corporation has initiated phase-one clinical studies with Betabloc, its new therapeutic agent, for use in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Used in animal studies, Betabloc prevented the build-up and reduced the level of established amyloid plaque, considered by many scientists to be one of the main causes of the disease, according to Elan. Phase-one studies will be conducted on 48 patients with moderate Alzheimer's disease to test safety and tolerability. This is expected to take one year to complete.