Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive and devastating neurological disorder that affects millions of people worldwide.
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, and the available treatments can only manage the symptoms temporarily.
However, researchers have been working tirelessly to develop new drugs and treatments that can potentially slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease or even prevent it from developing in the first place.
In this review, we will explore some of the new drugs and treatments for Alzheimer’s disease that are currently being researched.
Beta-Amyloid Immunotherapy
Beta-amyloid is a protein that accumulates in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease patients, forming plaques that disrupt the normal functioning of brain cells.
Beta-amyloid immunotherapy aims to remove these plaques by targeting beta-amyloid proteins with antibodies.
Several clinical trials have been conducted to test the effectiveness of beta-amyloid immunotherapy, with mixed results.
One such drug is Aducanumab, which was granted conditional approval by the FDA in 2021 based on the results of clinical trials that showed a reduction in beta-amyloid plaques and a slowing of cognitive decline in patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
However, some experts have criticized the trial’s design and questioned the drug’s effectiveness.
Tau Immunotherapy
Similar to beta-amyloid, tau protein also accumulates in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease patients, forming tangles that contribute to the death of brain cells.
Tau immunotherapy aims to target and clear these tangles using antibodies.
Several tau-targeting drugs are currently in clinical trials, including the drug ABBV-8E12, which showed promising results in a phase 2 trial, and the drug BIIB076, which is currently in phase 3 trials.
Glutamate Modulation
Glutamate is a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in learning and memory.
However, in Alzheimer’s disease, glutamate levels become imbalanced, leading to overexcitation of brain cells and contributing to cell death.
Researchers are exploring the use of drugs that modulate glutamate levels, such as the drug Memantine, which has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of moderate-to-severe Alzheimer’s disease.
Other glutamate modulators, such as the drug AZD0530, are currently in clinical trials.
Inflammation Modulation
Chronic inflammation is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease and is thought to contribute to the progression of the disease.
Researchers are exploring drugs that can modulate inflammation in the brain, such as the drug GSK-3, which showed promising results in a phase 2 trial.
Another drug, TTP488, is currently in phase 3 trials and targets the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), a protein that is involved in inflammation and oxidative stress in the brain.
Gene Therapy
Gene therapy is a promising approach that involves modifying the genetic material of cells to treat or prevent diseases.
Researchers are exploring the use of gene therapy to treat Alzheimer’s disease by introducing genes that can prevent the buildup of beta-amyloid or tau proteins in the brain.
Several gene therapy approaches are currently in preclinical trials, including the use of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors to deliver therapeutic genes to the brain.
Conclusion
Alzheimer’s disease is a complex and devastating neurological disorder that affects millions of people worldwide.
While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, researchers are working tirelessly to develop new drugs and treatments that can potentially slow down the progression of the disease or even prevent it from developing in the first place.
Beta-amyloid and tau immunotherapy, glutamate modulation, inflammation modulation, and gene therapy are just a few of the promising approaches that are currently being researched.
While the road to developing effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease is long and challenging,
If you care about dementia, please read studies that your walking speed may tell your risk of dementia, and these high blood pressure drugs could prevent dementia.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies that high-fiber diet could help lower the dementia risk, and these antioxidants could help reduce dementia risk.
Copyright © 2023 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
