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Assessment of Spontaneous Alternation, Novel Object Recognition and Limb Clasping in Transgenic Mouse Models of Amyloid-β and Tau Neuropathology
Published on: May 28, 2017
Advances in developing novel therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's disease
Jiqing Cao1,2,3, Jianwei Hou1,2, Jing Ping3
1James J Peters VA Medical Center, Research & Development, Bronx, NY, 10468, USA.
Abstract:
Alzheimer's Disease (AD), the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease of aging, affects one in eight older Americans. Nearly all drug treatments tested for AD today have failed to show any efficacy. There is a great need for therapies to prevent and/or slow the progression of AD. The major challenge in AD drug development is lack of clarity about the mechanisms underlying AD pathogenesis and pathophysiology. Several studies support the notion that AD is a multifactorial disease. While there is abundant evidence that amyloid plays a role in AD pathogenesis, other mechanisms have been implicated in AD such as tangle formation and spread, dysregulated protein degradation pathways, neuroinflammation, and loss of support by neurotrophic factors. Therefore, current paradigms of AD drug design have been shifted from single target approach (primarily amyloid-centric) to developing drugs targeted at multiple disease aspects, and from treating AD at later stages of disease progression to focusing on preventive strategies at early stages of disease development. Here, we summarize current strategies and new trends of AD drug development, including pre-clinical and clinical trials that target different aspects of disease (mechanism-based versus non-mechanism based, e.g. symptomatic treatments, lifestyle modifications and risk factor management).
Insights
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) therapies face challenges due to complex causes. New drug development focuses on multiple targets and early prevention for slowing AD progression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pharmacology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a leading neurodegenerative disorder affecting older adults.
- Current AD drug treatments have shown limited efficacy, highlighting a critical need for novel therapies.
- The multifactorial nature of AD pathogenesis, involving amyloid plaques, neuroinflammation, and protein aggregation, complicates drug development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current strategies and emerging trends in Alzheimer's Disease drug development.
- To discuss the shift from single-target (amyloid-centric) approaches to multi-target therapies.
- To explore the move towards preventive strategies and early-stage intervention for AD.
Main Methods:
- Summary of pre-clinical and clinical trial data for AD therapeutics.
- Analysis of mechanism-based versus non-mechanism-based treatment approaches.
- Review of lifestyle modifications and risk factor management in AD prevention.
Main Results:
- AD drug development is evolving beyond amyloid-focused strategies.
- Multi-target drug design and early intervention are key emerging trends.
- Symptomatic treatments, lifestyle changes, and risk factor management are crucial components of AD care.
Conclusions:
- Effective Alzheimer's Disease treatment requires addressing its multifactorial nature.
- Future AD therapies will likely involve combination strategies targeting various pathways.
- Preventive measures and early intervention are essential for managing Alzheimer's Disease progression.
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