New Alzheimer Drugs on the Horizon!

1. New Alzheimer Drugs on theHorizon Here's breaking news for those affected by Alzheimer's! Four new drugs are being tested that work in a unique manner, unlike other current medicines. Below are the exciting details on these up-and-coming drugs.

2. Anatomy OfALZHEIMER'S The entities responsible for Alzheimer's disease are plaques and tangles. Plaques are protein fragments called amyloid that accumulate between brain cells. Tangles are twisted protein fibers that form inside the cells. These protein clumps block communication and disrupts cellular processes. To see a diagram of plaques and tangles, go to http://www.savethesynapse.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/plaque.jpg.

3. PlaquesAndTangles The development of plaques and tangles is a normal aspect of aging. However, when the process becomes widespread, it significantly impairs mental function. An Alzheimer's brain exhibits protein clumps in a characteristic pattern. The abnormality originates in brain regions involved in memory and then spreads to other areas. Eventually, brain cells die, causing the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

4. ANTIBODY DEFENSE Preliminary testing of a new drug has shown it to reduce the decline in memory and thinking skills in the early stages of AD. The medication is called Adu can mab. It works like an antibody, attacking plaques. An antibody is a protein that identifies and neutralizes alien invaders.

5. LANDMARKS T U D Y The Adu can mab investigation was initiated in the summer of 2012. It involved 166 adults in the early stages of AD. All the subjects had evidence of plaque build-up. Patients were divided into four groups, receiving either low, medium, or high drug doses or a placebo. In March 2015, an interim analysis of the first data was reported.

6. F I N D I N G S The outcome at one year was monumental! The higher the drug dose, the fewer patients erred on clinical tests of memory and thinking. Aducanumab subjects demonstrated 70 percent less mental decline than placebo patients! Study participants also underwent brain imaging, with radioactive tracers used to identify brain plaques. Aducanumab reduced plaque deposition in six brain regions. In placebo subjects, protein clumps remained unchanged. Low doses of the drug didn’t impact brain plaque. However, both medium and high doses noticeably lowered plaque levels.

7. SIDE EFFECT Most of the study participants tolerated the medication well. Brain scans of those on the higher doses revealed some brain swelling. Although the inflammation did not produce symptoms, researchers are concerned about future problems. Brain swelling was most pronounced in patients carrying the gene for AD. Headaches arose in 22 percent of patients given the drug, appearing to be dose-related. The headaches quickly resolved.

8. FORECAST Aducanumab is a pioneer in the fight against AD. To date, there have been no other medications that destroy brain plaques. Current drugs decelerate the disease process temporarily but are unable to halt completely its progression. Aducanumab significantly retards plaque formation. The drug is the brainchild of the Biogen company, based in Massachusetts. Clinical testing is in the final Phase 3 stage. This segment of evaluation involves a large study group of 1,350 patients over five years. Thorough testing on a broad scale is required before the drug can be marketed. Analysts expect that within three years, the data will indicate whether Adu can mab is the "Goldilocks" drug, the "just right" formulation that will resolve AD. Researchers are optimistic regarding the drug's potential.

9. THE JOINING CRUSADE Also in the testing phase are three other medications, solanezumab, gantenerumab, and crenezumab. Solanezumab - The drug manufacturer Eli Lilly is testing this drug. Solanezumab is also designed to attack brain plaques. The drug appears to help mild AD. Gantenerumab - Roche Pharmaceuticals has produced this anti-amyloid drug. Data from spinal fluid tests and brain scans are promising. Crenezumab - The Genentech company has formulated this drug, targeted to mild AD. Research is now in the Phase 3 stage.

10. CURRENT DRUG MECHANISMS • Current drugs work by relieving some AD symptoms. However, they do not address the cause of AD or delay its advancement. The FDA has approved two classes of drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Until alternative medications are marketed, these are the two options available: • Cholinesterase Inhibitors • Memantine • Each drug acts on a different brain region, so physicians sometimes prescribe both simultaneously. The medications are also designed for specific stages of AD - mild, moderate, and severe. These delineations are based on mental function test scores, measuring memory, thinking, reasoning, and awareness of time and place.

11. CHOLINESTERASEINHIBITORS (CIs) Plaques and tangles decrease levels of acetylcholine, a chemical involved in memory, alertness, thought, and judgment. CIs prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine. Unfortunately, the drugs are unable to stop disease progression. Although they make acetylcholine more available, brain cells continue to die. Therefore, the drugs lose their effectiveness over time. There are three FDA-approved CIs. In clinical studies, all of them work equally well. However, individual response varies regarding drug performance and side effects. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Side effects are reduced when a drug is started at a low dose and gradually increased. Taking a CI with food also helps minimize discomfort. The three CIs commonly prescribed are Aricept, Razadyne, and Exelon.

12. ARICEPT Aricept - treats all stages of AD. It is taken once a day in pill form. It is typically well-tolerated, with side effects occurring in only 20 percent of people with AD. Razadyne - targets mild to moderate AD and is available as a pill and syrup. It has been shown to slow cognitive decline for up to three years. Exelon - for mild to moderate AD, available as a skin patch, pill, and syrup. It is comparable to Aricept regarding efficacy but may cause more gastrointestinal side effects.

13. Memantine Under the brand name Namenda, this medication addresses moderate to severe AD. It has a different treatment mechanism. It regulates glutamate, a chemical involved in learning and memory. Namenda is formulated as a pill and syrup. Common side effects include a headache, confusion, dizziness, and agitation.

14. STAY TUNED! Alzforum has the most current information available on the four drugs. The website's August 2015 report summarizes the outcome of this year's Alzheimer's Association International Conference. Aducanumab - Researchers are trying to determine the optimal dose of Adu can mab. Three dosages have undergone trial, 3 mg, 6 mg, and 10 mg, with none of them quite hitting the mark. The 10 mg dose is most effective against plaques but causes brain swelling. It was thought that a 6-mg dose would be ideal, but it has not delivered the desired outcome. Phase 3 of the study will continue exploring drug dosages versus side effects.

15. Solanezumab - Research on solanezumab has shown a 34 percent decline in disease progression! Phase 3 for solanezumab will be complete by October 2016. Gantenerumab - Study of Gantenerumab has yielded gains in biomarker data. A biomarker is a biological indicator of disease. The trial has promoted a greater understanding of the nature of AD. Patients with severe AD have had a positive response at a high dose, with a 5 percent reduction in brain plaque. Roche is moving into Phase 3, to assess further the effects of high doses. Crenezumab - This medication does not cause brain swelling, enabling use at higher doses. The drug shows promise as a treatment for mild AD. It's also being tested as a preventative drug, the first of its kind! Study results will be forthcoming in 2020.

16. EYES ON THE PRIZE Aducanumab is the first drug to exhibit a dual effect on both plaque destruction and cognitive decline. Conclusive data is three years away. The outcome of solanezumab will be evident one year from now. Results of gantenerumab and crenezumab will follow. As research efforts get closer to a cure for AD, we can be grateful for the diligence of scientists. With their continued perseverance, we can look forward to the day when AD is a faded memory.

17. SOURCES 1. https://www.alzinfo.org/articles/diagnosis/experimental-alzheimers-drug-aducanumab-slows-cognitive-decline-in-early-trials/ 2. http://www.alzforum.org/therapeutics/aducanumab 3. http://www.alzforum.org/therapeutics/crenezumab-0 4. http://www.alzforum.org/news/conference-coverage/aducanumab-solanezumab-gantenerumab-data-lift-crenezumab-well 5. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/in-depth/alzheimers/art-20048103 6. http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/2015/03/20/drug-alzheimers-disease/#.VkN64-Lw9uY

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