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New pathways in drug discovery for alzheimer’s disease

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Abstract

Specific treatments for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) were first introduced in the 1990s using the acetyl-cholinesterase inhibitors. More recently, the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist memantine has become available. Although these treatments do provide a modest improvement in the cognitive abnormalities present in AD, their pharmacology is based on manipulation of neurotransmitter systems, and there is no compelling evidence that they interfere with the underlying pathogenic process. Pathologic and genetic data have led to the hypothesis that a peptide called amyloid β (Aβ) plays a primary role in the pathophysiology of AD. Several investigational therapies targeting Aβ are now undergoing clinical trials. This paper reviews the available data regarding Aβ-directed therapies that are in the clinic and summarizes the approach to biomarkers and clinical trial designs that can provide evidence of modification of the underlying disease process.

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  1. Lilly Corporate Center, Eli Lilly and Company, 46285, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Eric R. Siemers MD

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  1. Eric R. Siemers MD
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  2. Robert A. Dean MD, PhD
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  3. Ronald Demattos PhD
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  4. Patrick C. May PhD
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Correspondence to Eric R. Siemers MD.

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Siemers, E.R., Dean, R.A., Demattos, R. et al. New pathways in drug discovery for alzheimer’s disease. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 6, 372–378 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-996-0017-8

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