Alzheimer’s
disease takes a long time to develop, which suggests
that it may be possible to design drugs that work
early in the disease process, to delay the start
of symptoms. Over the past decade, researchers have
been testing a number of such “disease-modifying” drugs
that target the earliest biological changes in Alzheimer’s,
reports the October 2007 issue of the Harvard
Mental Health Letter.
None of the disease-modifying drugs now in development
will cure Alzheimer’s. But a number of them are
currently in phase III clinical trials, the last stage
before the FDA will consider approving the drugs for
sale. Media interest has already begun to intensify.
In June, for example, the AARP Bulletin trumpeted
on its cover: “Finally, new drugs offer real
hope for reversing the disease.”
Two experts interviewed by the Mental Health Letter temper
the optimism with caution. The experts note that questions
remain whether these drugs will be effective enough
to block Alzheimer’s or safe enough to be taken
for a long time and with other medications.
A larger issue is whether the drugs aim at the right
targets. The new disease-modifying drugs target early
biological abnormalities, especially the sequence of
events involved in the creation of amyloid plaques
(a hallmark brain lesion in Alzheimer’s). Dr.
Michael Miller, editor in chief of the Harvard
Mental Health Letter,notes that although most
of the research effort so far has focused on this stage,
researchers are still developing their understanding
of how Alzheimer’s develops. “Scientists
are encouraged by their research into the details of
the genetic and environmental causes of Alzheimer’s,” he
says. “They look forward to identifying other
interesting targets of treatment as the science evolves.”
Also in this issue:
Related
Information
Printed
Version:
