Alzheimer’s is a global problem and scientist from around
the world share information in a unified effort to find an effective treatment
or cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Representing 65 countries, more than 4,000
scientists gathered in Washington D.C. for the Alzheimer’s Association
International Conference 2015.
One of the exciting developments of this year’s conference
is a report that new drugs have yielded promising early results for treatment
of several brain diseases. Finding the key to effectively treating Alzheimer’s
disease may unlock the mystery of other neurodegenerative diseases. Scientists
have found common components of several brain diseases, including Alzheimer’s,
Parkinson’s, and Lewy body dementia.
What do these diseases have in
common? They
all cause brain cell death because of a change in the shape of a protein. This
protein can become toxic and affects the nerve cells or synapses. The proteins
that affect Alzheimer’s disease are beta-amyloid and tau. Lewy bodies are the
protein associated with Parkinson’s and Lewy body dementia. Misfolded proteins bind
to other proteins and form large aggregates.
What are some of the drugs being
tested? Richard
Fisher, PhD, NeuroPhage Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA, and a group of
colleagues are researching NPT088. This drug has been tested on animal models
with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. In most cases, it reduced levels of amyloid
beta, tau, and alpha-synuclein (the main component of Lewy bodies). Animal
models showed improved memory. Clinical trials should take place in 2016.
Another new drug, TRV101, is being tested in Toronto, ON,
Canada, by Treventis Corporation. This group used computer models to screen more
than 11 million compounds to find ones that could prevent toxic proteins. In
test tubes, TRV 101 is capable of allowing natural clearing mechanisms to remove
protein aggregates. Clearing toxic proteins should improve cognitive function. This
research has moved to animal testing.
Alzheimer’s is a complicated disease and a cure has been elusive.
Effective treatment is more likely to be a cocktail of drugs, rather than a
single medication. This is similar to how HIV/AIDs and other disorders are
treated.
As with other major diseases, lifestyle changes are part of
the treatment for Alzheimer’s. Researchers are optimistic that Alzheimer’s risk
has declined for recent generations due to better cardiovascular care, blood
pressure management, controlling diabetes, and realizing the importance of
physical activity and a healthy diet.
The great thing about lifestyle changes, you don’t have to
wait for a drug to come down the pipeline, you can just jump in and begin! Right
now improving a healthy diet is an easy fix with fresh vegetables from my
garden. This is one time of the year that something that tastes good, homegrown
tomatoes, is good for me.
People today are more socially active. At least I know I am.
Reading the news on my smart phone or having articles delivered to my in-box
keeps my mind active. For fun, I throw in a few crossword puzzles or read a
book.
Between research and common sense practices, we are moving
in the right direction to make Alzheimer’s a distant memory.
Copyright © July 2015 by L.S. Fisher
