New pathways in drug discovery for Alzheimer's disease.
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 ss(Abeta) plays a primary role in the pathophysiology of AD. Several investigational therapies targeting Abeta are now undergoing clinical trials. This paper reviews the available data regarding Abeta-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.
Siemers
Eric R
ER
Eli Lilly and Company, Lilly Corporate Center,Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA. esiemers@lilly.com
Dean
Robert A
RA
Demattos
Ronald
R
May
Patrick C
PC
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D000682:Amyloid / Q000819:agonists / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015195:Drug Design; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods; D008559:Memantine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000682:Amyloid; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D008559:Memantine