Experimental Alzheimer's drug solanezumab picked for prevention study
Researchers have chosen an experimental drug by Eli Lilly & Co. for a large federally funded study testing whether it's possible to prevent Alzheimer's disease in older people at high risk of developing it.
Experimental Alzheimer's drug shows promise
The drug, called solanezumab, is designed to bind to and help clear the sticky deposits that clog patients' brains.
Earlier studies found it did not help people with moderate to severe Alzheimer's but it showed some promise against milder disease. Researchers think it might work better if given before symptoms start.
"The hope is we can catch people before they decline," which can come 10 years or more after plaques first show up in the brain, said Dr. Reisa Sperling, director of the Alzheimer's center at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston.
She will help lead the new study, which will involve 1,000 people ages 70 to 85 whose brain scans show plaque buildup but who do not yet have any symptoms of dementia. They will get monthly infusions of solanezumab or a dummy drug for three years. The main goal will be slowing the rate of cognitive decline. The study will be done at 50 sites in the U.S. and possibly more in Canada, Australia and Europe, Sperling said.
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In October, researchers said combined results from two studies of solanezumab suggested it might modestly slow mental decline, especially in patients with mild disease. Taken separately, the studies missed their main goals of significantly slowing the mind-robbing disease or improving activities of daily living.
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Those results were not considered good enough to win the drug approval. So in December, Lilly said it would start another large study of it this year to try to confirm the hopeful results seen patients with mild disease. That is separate from the federal study Sperling will head.
About 35 million people worldwide have dementia, and Alzheimer's is the most common type. In the U.S., about 5 million have Alzheimer's. Current medicines such as Aricept and Namenda just temporarily ease symptoms. There is no known cure.
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- MAXK341 is WRONG. Smoking, diabetes, lack of exercise are all elements that contribute to Alzheimer's as risk factors. BUT 50 percent of people over age 85 have Alzheimer's and the risk DOUBLES every 5 years after age 65 - age trumps all risk factors mentioned above. This disease is NOT preventable. Which is why we need effective therapies ASAP. Drugs are essential for Alzheimer's - as they are for cancers, heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Lifestyle changes are important as well.
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- Drugs are not needed to treat alzheimers disease. Most of the risk factors are known and this disease can be prevented.Smokers are at risk because the toxic byproducts of the smoke restrict blood flow to the brain. Having diabetes is a risk factor as it disrupts the brain's energy supply. Not enough Omega 3 essential fatty acids is detrimental. Too much intake of Omega 6 essential fatty acids is inflammatory and makes the condition worse. A lack of daily exercise deprives the brain of nutrition and allows toxic byproducts of metabolism to accumulate. Alzheimers is preventable
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