Four Alzheimer's Drug Trials Bring New Era Of Hope

Results from a series of trials on four drugs to treat Alzheimer's appear to bring a new era of hope to patients with the disease, according to scientists reporting their findings to the 2nd Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Prevention of Dementia in Washington, DC yesterday. The conference brings together over 1,000 dementia experts from around the world.

The four drugs are an anti-amyloid (Alzhemed), an inhibitor of brain cell death (Dimebon), an "Alzheimer's vaccine" (Immunotherapy Treatment AN1792), and a drug normally used to treat diabetes (Avandia).

Alzheimer's disease is thought to be caused by build up of a protein called amyloid beta which forms plaques and tangles in the brain, kills off brain cells and interferes with neuron to neuron signalling.

Approved treatments for Alzheimer's currently only relieve symptoms for a couple of years and make little impact on the amyloid beta build up and the progress of the disease. Vice president for Medical and Scientific Relations at the Alzheimer's Association, Dr William Thies said that:

"Amyloid as a cause for Alzheimer's and a primary target for therapies and preventions must be thoroughly tested."

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