Experimental Alzheimer's drug shows early promise

saltwn · #1 (**permalink**) 07-29-2008, 04:08 PM

Quote:

CHICAGO - For the first time, an experimental drug shows promise for halting the progression of Alzheimer's disease by taking a very new approach: breaking up the protein tangles that clog victims' brains.

...The findings by Singapore-based TauRx Therapeutics Ltd...
...experts who saw the results for the drug Rember were heartened.

The federal agency (Alzheimer's research at the National Institute on Aging.) funded much of the early research that led to drugs like Rember that target the tangles of Alzheimer's, made up of a protein called tau. For decades, scientists have focused on a different protein — sticky beta-amyloid deposits — but have yet to get a workable treatment.

The four Alzheimer's drugs currently available just ease symptoms of the mind-robbing disease, which afflicts more than 5 million Americans and is mushrooming as the population ages.

The mother of one of my children's friends (she's much younger than me!) is in the early stages of this disease. I saw her recently and she was having a "good day", thank goodness. Such a beautiful person and quite the lady. I hope they are well on the way to eliminating Alzheimer's.

The results of this research shows the private sector and government funding both help us all. I hope politics can take a back seat in favor of getting everyone possible on board for a cure!

Spencer Collins · #2 (**permalink**) 07-29-2008, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saltwn

The mother of one of my children's friends (she's much younger than me!) is in the early stages of this disease. I saw her recently and she was having a "good day", thank goodness. Such a beautiful person and quite the lady. I hope they are well on the way to eliminating Alzheimer's.

The results of this research shows the private sector and government funding both help us all. I hope politics can take a back seat in favor of getting everyone possible on board for a cure!

Amen to that...

mlurp · #3 (**permalink**) 07-30-2008, 04:39 PM

There are two of these newer drugs. And both work well, but one hasn't been tested as long as the other. And neither have been really tested by govt. standards. The trick is to get both to work in one pill, which is the goal from what I heard.
But govt. could delay testing till 2010 and the tests would take years. Another reason to contact your state reps.
See my siggy if you don't know how to do that. Senate and Congress are there.

Spencer Collins · #4 (**permalink**) 07-30-2008, 09:56 PM

What were the names of those drugs again?..

mlurp · #5 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 12:46 AM

I just saw the CNN report, don't ask me to remember much more please....

saltwn · #6 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spencer Collins

What were the names of those drugs again?..

Found some links. Don't know if either of these is the one mlurp's talking about or not, but might be good reading for interested parties.

Quote:

The Food and Drug Administration has approved three drugs, Aricept, Exelon and Cognex, to treat mild to moderate Alzheimer's. There are no approved treatments for later-stage patients. Further testing of memantine is needed before the drug can be approved for widespread use in the United States.

Memantine is currently available in Germany to treat dementia assumed to be due to Alzheimer's. The drug is manufactured by Merz in Germany. CNN.com - Health - New Alzheimer's drug seems to slow disease progression, research shows - July 12, 2000

This one is related to the subject of the thread but looks like it might have additional info:

Quote:

(CNN) -- British researchers say a new drug could effectively halt the progression of Alzheimer's disease, offering hope to millions. The product -- remberTM -- is the first drug to act on the "tangles" discovered by Alois Alzheimer over a century ago. Tangles are made up of the protein, tau, which forms inside nerve cells in the brain. Breakthrough drug 'could halt' Alzheimer's - CNN.com

And this one has a lot of info about drugs and an interesting link at the bottom about psychotic drugs on the disease. Alzheimer's treatments: What's on the horizon? - MayoClinic.com

mlurp · #7 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 01:06 AM

Breakthrough drug 'could halt' Alzheimer's - CNN.com
Is one of them. The other was about spap lick substance given off when they start to go bad, the person's brain cells.
Well I learned a lot from your last page at the Mayo Clinic.
But it was awww I hate this.... I forgot.

Mikeyy · #8 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 02:23 AM

I......I....Er... um......Nevermind

mlurp · #9 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikeyy

I......I....Er... um......Nevermind

Have your fun. I enjoy a laugh at my expense myself. If a man can't laugh at himself once in a while he is doomed to be far to unforgiving. I am not that kind of man.
So for making my morning..... he, he, he..... Thanks

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