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Updated: Jun 10, 2026
15:23
Selection of Aptamers for Amyloid β-Protein, the Causative Agent of Alzheimer's Disease
Published on: May 14, 2010
Amyloid-beta immunisation for Alzheimer's disease
Thomas Wisniewski1, Uwe Konietzko
1Department of Neurology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA. thomas.wisniewski@nyumc.org
The Lancet. Neurology
|August 1, 2008
Summary
Alzheimer's disease treatments are lacking. Research focuses on immunotherapy to target toxic amyloid-beta (Abeta) forms, aiming to prevent its conversion and clear existing aggregates.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a leading cause of dementia in aging populations.
- Current treatments for AD do not halt or effectively modify disease progression.
- Pathological conversion of amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptide into neurotoxic oligomers is central to AD pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current immunological approaches for Alzheimer's disease.
- To highlight the development of novel immunotherapies targeting Abeta.
- To discuss the challenges in balancing Abeta clearance with autoimmune reactions.
Main Methods:
- Review of ongoing clinical trials for active and passive immunotherapies.
- Analysis of immunological strategies to prevent Abeta conversion and aggregation.
- Examination of the neurotoxic mechanisms of Abeta oligomers.
Main Results:
- Over ten new active and passive immunotherapy strategies are in clinical trials for AD.
- Immunological approaches aim to prevent pathological Abeta formation and enhance clearance.
- Smallest neurotoxic Abeta species, such as dimers and oligomers, are key targets.
Conclusions:
- Developing safe and effective immunotherapies for Alzheimer's disease is a critical unmet need.
- Targeting amyloid-beta offers a promising therapeutic avenue for Alzheimer's disease.
- Careful modulation of the immune response is essential to avoid adverse effects while clearing toxic Abeta.
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