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Related Concept Videos

Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment01:22

Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment

Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder, is pathologically identified by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles composed of tau protein. AD pharmacotherapy aims to manage cognitive symptoms, delay disease progression, and treat behavioral symptoms. The treatment is primarily symptomatic and palliative, with no definitive disease-modifying therapy available. Cholinesterase inhibitors, including donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne), are...
Alzheimer's Disease: Overview01:26

Alzheimer's Disease: Overview

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a continually advancing neurodegenerative disorder, distinguished by escalating memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. The disease unfolds in three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Its onset is insidious, and the progression gradual, with the cause not well explained by other disorders.
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...
Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology01:23

Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology

Alzheimer disease involves structural changes in the brain that begin long before symptoms appear. The most distinctive features are extracellular neuritic plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles.Neuritic plaques form in the cerebral cortex and around blood vessels. These plaques contain a dense core of beta-amyloid (Aβ)—a toxic protein fragment that clumps outside neurons. The core is surrounded by damaged neuronal extensions, as well as reactive astrocytes and microglia. Abnormal...
Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction01:29

Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction

Alzheimer disease is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in older adults. It leads to gradual neuronal loss, causing cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and loss of functional independence.Risk Factors and EtiologyThe disease is multifactorial. Age is the strongest risk factor, with prevalence doubling every 5 years after age 65. Genetic factors include mutations in genes such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2, which are associated...
Dementia l: Introduction01:22

Dementia l: Introduction

Dementia is an acquired, progressive syndrome characterized by a decline in multiple cognitive domains severe enough to impair daily functioning and reduce independence. Although memory loss is a central feature, the diagnosis requires additional deficits involving language, executive function, visuospatial skills, judgment, calculation, or abstract reasoning. These cognitive impairments reflect underlying neurodegenerative or vascular processes that gradually disrupt neuronal networks...
Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists01:30

Cognitive Enhancers: Cholinesterase Inhibitors and NMDA Receptor Antagonists

Cognitive enhancers, also known as "smart drugs," are substances used to enhance memory, mental alertness, and concentration. These can be natural or synthetic and improve cognition in conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases. Some common examples include caffeine, amphetamines, methylphenidate, modafinil, arecoline, donepezil, vortioxetine, and piracetam. These enhancers work on the principle of synaptic plasticity and altered circuit function. They...

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Related Experiment Videos

Recent developments in Alzheimer's disease therapeutics.

Michael S Rafii1, Paul S Aisen

  • 1Department of Neurosciences, University of California-San Diego, Gilman Drive M/C 0949, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA. mrafii@ucsd.edu

BMC Medicine
|February 21, 2009
PubMed
Summary

New Alzheimer's disease therapies targeting beta-amyloid and tau proteins are advancing to late-stage clinical trials. These disease-modifying treatments aim to address the underlying causes of Alzheimer's, offering hope beyond current symptomatic relief.

Related Experiment Videos

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pharmacology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurological disorder affecting over 37 million globally, imposing a significant economic burden.
  • Current treatments offer only symptomatic relief and do not halt or reverse disease progression.
  • There is a critical unmet need for disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer's disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current landscape of Alzheimer's disease therapies in development.
  • To discuss the scientific rationale and targets for novel AD therapeutics.
  • To provide an overview of agents in late-stage clinical trials.

Main Methods:

  • Review of scientific literature and clinical trial data.
  • Analysis of therapeutic targets including beta-amyloid and tau pathology.
  • Discussion of the molecular pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease.

Main Results:

  • Numerous agents targeting core AD pathologies are in development.
  • Disease-modifying therapies targeting beta-amyloid and tau have reached late-stage clinical trials.
  • Understanding of AD pathogenesis has driven therapeutic innovation.

Conclusions:

  • Late-stage clinical trials represent a significant advancement in AD drug development.
  • Targeting beta-amyloid and tau offers a promising strategy for disease modification.
  • Continued research is crucial for developing effective Alzheimer's disease treatments.