Clinical Trials For New Alzheimer’s Drugs Show Some Progress Toward Slowing Disease
The results were presented at an Alzheimer's conference this week, but some researchers caution against raising hopes to high on early data that show incremental gains.
The Washington Post:
Experimental Treatments Raise Cautious Hope In Alzheimer’s Fight
Pharmaceutical researchers on Wednesday presented new data from the clinical trials of three drugs that, the scientists said, show promise for slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. (Kunkle, 7/22)
The Associated Press:
Alzheimer's Drug Goes Through Testing
Eli Lilly & Co. on Wednesday reported that an experimental medication might slow mild Alzheimer's if people take it early enough, one of a handful of drugs in late-stage testing in the frustrating hunt for a better treatment. The new findings don't prove that Lilly's solanezumab really works; a larger study is underway that won't end until late 2016. On Wednesday, researchers at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference updated ongoing research into Lilly's effort, and those of two competitors, that aims to fight Alzheimer's with injections targeting a sticky protein that clogs the brain. (Neergaard, 7/23)
Meanwhile, an Alzheimer's advocate tells KHN that in addition to finding new ways to screen and treat, public health officials should increase the number of skilled nursing homes and home health aides. And NPR reports on younger adults suffering from the disease -
Kaiser Health News:
Advocate For Alzheimer’s Research Says Aging Baby Boomers Face Big Threat From Disease
Dr. Maria Carrillo, chief scientific officer at the Alzheimer’s Association, which paid for research on Medicare projections that was released Monday at a major conference for Alzheimer's researchers and health policy experts, talked with Kaiser Health News staff writer Lisa Gillespie about what the growth of Alzheimer’s will mean for the nation. (7/23)
NPR:
Younger Adults with Alzheimer's Are Key to Drug Search
The face of Alzheimer's isn't always old. Sometimes it belongs to someone like Giedre Cohen, who is 37, yet struggles to remember her own name. Until about a year ago, Giedre was a "young, healthy, beautiful" woman just starting her life, says her husband, Tal Cohen, a real estate developer in Los Angeles. Now, he says, "her mind is slowly wasting away." People like Giedre have a rare gene mutation that causes symptoms of Alzheimer's to appear before they turn 60. (Hamilton, 7/23)
