Latest Alzheimer’s drugs previewed

Alzheimer’s researchers reported progress on a broad front at the recent 10th International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders in Madrid . They were optimistic about a bevy of new drugs in the pipeline to treat and perhaps ward off the disease.
Howard Fillit, executive director of the Institute for the Study of Aging in New York, told United Press International that there are now several drugs marketed that slow the disease. “We are going to change the world in the next five to 10 years.”

Developments include:

• An antibody that targets an abnormal beta-amyloid particle in the brain. Amyloid is one of the substances that, when out of control, interrupts brain messaging and builds damaging structures in the brain. It is hoped the antibody will bind with the unwanted amyloid product and bringing it into the blood stream and out of the brain.

• Another attack on amyloid-associated aberrant behaviour in Alzheimer’s disease, focusing on the abnormal handling of essential brain metals – copper, zinc and iron – and how that leads to formation of beta-amyloid oligomers, or abnormal assemblies – in the brain.

• How tramiprosate (Alzhemed) appears to improve outcomes in Alzheimer’s disease by preventing cells in the brain from dying.
“We are very encouraged to see a diversity of approaches to treating Alzheimer’s showing some level of success,” Fillit said. “We must pursue every available avenue. The urgency has never been higher.”