EndocrinologyA Phase III Alzheimer's Drug Increases Levels Of Beta Amyloid In The Brain -- But Still Provides Benefits
Surprising new insights into how a Phase III Alzheimer"s drug might work
were among the advances in potential therapies targeting two abnormal brain
proteins -- beta amyloid and phosphorylated tau -- that were reported today
at the Alzheimer"s Association 2009 International Conference on Alzheimer"s
Disease (ICAD 2009) in Vienna.
Scientists also reported on how clinicians view and treat mild cognitive
impairment (MCI), a research category used to define the state between normal
aging and Alzheimer"s, that is now being used widely in clinical practice.
"There are now more than 26 million people living with Alzheimer"s and
dementia around the world. The cost of caring for these people, and those who
will get it in the next few years, will bankrupt the world"s healthcare
systems," said Ralph Nixon, PhD, MD, vice chair of the Alzheimer"s
Association Medical & Scientific Advisory Council.
"But, as these studies and many hundreds more reported at ICAD 2009 show,
there is hope. There are currently dozens of drugs in clinical trials for
Alzheimer"s. This, combined with advancements in diagnostic tools, has the
potential to change the landscape of Alzheimer"s in our lifetime. How fast we
get there depends completely on the investment in research. We need more
government and private dollars for Alzheimer"s research now to capitalize on
the progress we"ve made in the last decade," Nixon added.
The studies reported at ICAD 2009 were:
-- Sam Gandy, et al -- Dimebon(R), A Clinically Promising Drug For Alzheimer Disease, Regulates Amyloid-Beta Metabolism In Cultured Cells, In Isolated Nerve Terminals, And In The Interstitial Fluid Of The Living Rodent Brain.
-- Moran Boimel, et al -- Immunotherapy Targeting Pathologically Phosphorylated Tau In A Tauopathy Mouse Model.
-- Scott Roberts, et al -- Clinical Practices Regarding Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) Among Neurology Service Providers.
The 2009 Alzheimer"s Association International Conference on Alzheimer"s
Disease (ICAD 2009) brings together more than 3,000 researchers from 70
countries to share groundbreaking research and information on the cause,
diagnosis, treatment and prevention of Alzheimer"s disease and related
disorders. ICAD 2009 will be held in Vienna, Austria at Messe Wien Exhibition
and Congress Center from July 11-16.
The Alzheimer"s Association is the leading voluntary health organization
in Alzheimer care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate
Alzheimer"s disease through the advancement of research, to provide and
enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia
through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without
Alzheimer"s. For more information, visit http://www.alz.org.
Alzheimer"s Association