The National Institute on Aging has awarded $2.85 million in funding to a research team from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) to study the role of mitochondria — cells’ powerhouses — in age-related diseases, such as Alzheimer’s. The five-year funding will support a project called “The interaction effects of genetic variants, age,…
About Alzheimer’s Disease
Walking into a room and forgetting why you went into the room is normal. Walking into a room and forgetting what room you are in is not normal. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and affects one in ten people over the age of 65. Unfortunately, the exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease is not fully understood however leading scientific experts in the field attribute the illness to the irreversible and progressive generalized degeneration of the brain. Alzheimer’s disease goes well beyond the forgetfulness that may accompany aging, and typically first signs include difficulty remembering current information or performing new tasks. Ongoing hallmark symptoms include impaired memory function, difficulty performing everyday tasks, and neurobehavioral abnormalities. Currently, there is no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease, and multi-disciplinary treatment focuses on symptom management and limiting progression.
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Alzheimer’s News
Seelos Gears Up for Pilot Study in Australia Testing SLS-005
Seelos Therapeutics is gearing up for a pilot study, in Australia, testing SLS-005 (trehalose) — its investigational therapy for people with Alzheimer’s disease — after receiving an acknowledgment letter from the country’s regulatory body for clinical trials. The letter, from the Australian Government Department of Health Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), was issued after the company…
Eisai Starting Process of Requesting Lecanemab’s Approval in Japan
Eisai has started submitting data to the Japanese Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) in support of an application for approval of its investigational lecanemab (BAN2401) to treat early Alzheimer’s disease. This submission followed the company’s prior assessment consultation with the PMDA, given in advance of an approval application and intended to accelerate its review by identifying and addressing…
Roche Moving Gantenerumab Into Phase 3 Prevention Trial for Early Alzheimer’s
Roche is launching a Phase 3 clinical trial to evaluate the ability of its investigational antibody therapy, gantenerumab, to slow Alzheimer’s progression in people with early signs of the disease, the company announced. Called SKYLINE (NCT05256134), the trial is now recruiting 1,200 cognitively unimpaired participants between ages 60 and 80 who show signs of brain…
Gene Therapy LX1001 Showing Potential to Lower Tau Levels in Phase 1 Trial
LX1001, a one-time gene therapy for Alzheimer’s disease being developed by Lexeo Therapeutics, raised levels of the protective APOE2 protein in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), early data from an ongoing Phase 1/2 trial shows. Findings in a first patient group treated at low dose also showed the gene therapy reduced the levels of tau protein — a hallmark…
Trial of Oral Varoglutamstat Cleared to Take Place in China
A clinical trial application for varoglutamstat, or PQ912, an investigational therapy for Alzheimer’s disease, was approved in China, its developers, Vivoryon Therapeutics and Simcere Pharmaceutical Group, announced. “We are proud to have obtained [China’s Center for Drug Evaluation] CDE approval of our Clinical Trial Application of varoglutamstat which represents our strong commitment in the battle against…
Blood Test of Alzheimer’s Risk in Mild Dementia Patients OK’d in Europe
A biomarker blood test called AlzoSure Predict that can help to identify people with mild cognitive impairment who are likely progress to Alzheimer’s disease — years before symptoms are evident — has been approved for use in the European Union (EU) and the U.K., its marketer, Diadem, announced. “This first regulatory approval for AlzoSure Predict … represents…
Symposium Highlights Research, Care Disparities Among Latinos
Improved access to high-quality healthcare and research for Latinos living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia are needed, according to a summary report from the second Latinos & Alzheimer’s Symposium. Understanding underlying disease-related processes unique to Latino populations, and identifying social and environmental risk factors for this group also are required, the researchers noted. “By…
Fosgonimeton Shows Safety in Early Trial, Phase 3 Study Enrolling in US
Fosgonimeton, an experimental therapy Athira Pharma is developing to treat Alzheimer’s disease, was well-tolerated overall in a Phase 1 clinical trial that included Alzheimer’s patients as well as healthy volunteers. “These encouraging results showed a positive safety and tolerability profile of fosgonimeton across a wide dose range,” Hans Moebius, MD, PhD, Athira’s chief medical officer, said…
Older Adults Aware of Alzheimer’s, But Know Little About Aduhelm
Although the vast majority of older Americans are concerned about Alzheimer’s disease, most are unaware of Aduhelm (aducanumab), the recently approved treatment for the disease, according to a survey study. “The contrast between older Americans who were very concerned about developing Alzheimer’s disease and those that actually knew anything about the drug was surprising,” Julie…
Anti-pTau Vaccine Induces Intended Immune Response in Ongoing Trial
ACI-35.030, an experimental anti-tau vaccine that AC Immune is developing for Alzheimer’s disease, was able to potently induce an immune response as intended and was generally well-tolerated, according to 10-week interim data from a Phase 1/2 clinical trial. “These latest interim results add to the robust clinical dataset supporting plans for continued late-stage development,” Andrea…
Alzheimer’s Association Funds Research to Improve Lives of Caregivers
The Alzheimer’s Association is funding research that aims to improve the lives of caregivers as well as the dementia patients they serve. Amanda Leggett, PhD, a research assistant professor at the University of Michigan, has been awarded $150,000 by the U.S. nonprofit’s Dementia Care Provider Roundtable (AADCPR) to support an investigation into different caregiving styles.…