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Detection of Neuritic Plaques in Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model
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Drug discovery and the prevention of Alzheimer's disease

Howard Fillit1

  • 1Executive Director, The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation, New York, NY, USA. hfillit@alzdiscovery.org

Alzheimer'S & Dementia : the Journal of the Alzheimer'S Association
|July 22, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Alzheimer's disease (AD) research has advanced, but effective disease-modifying drugs are still needed. Primary prevention through accelerated drug discovery is the ultimate goal for combating this neurodegenerative disease.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience and Gerontology
  • Drug Discovery and Development

Background:

  • Significant progress in understanding Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis has been made.
  • Despite advances, translating this knowledge into effective disease-modifying drugs remains a challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the critical need for effective disease-modifying drugs for Alzheimer's disease.
  • To emphasize primary prevention as the ultimate research goal for AD.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current understanding of AD pathogenesis.
  • Analysis of challenges in drug development and regulatory approval for AD therapies.

Main Results:

  • Knowledge of AD pathogenesis now parallels that of other chronic degenerative diseases.
  • Numerous clinical candidates are in trials, with potential for future regulatory approval.

Conclusions:

  • Primary prevention of AD is paramount due to unique clinical and developmental challenges.
  • Accelerated drug discovery of effective disease-modifying therapies is essential for achieving primary prevention of AD.

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