Biotech Values

[mcbio]

A week or so ago, Peter posted an AD abstract on the SI Biotech Values thread which indicated that 100% of AD pt brains biopsied showed fungal infections present. Another somewhat related abstract was posted shortly thereafter.

I was left with the impression that Amyloid Beta was the brain's response to an infection rather than the direct cause of AD. I would be less inclined to bet any drug that interferes with Amyloid Beta will have a successful PhIII. Rather I'd suspect significant safety issues are likely.

Interesting counter-point. It certainly remains far from certain whether amyloid beta is a cause or effect of AD. Perhaps the MRK P3 trial could put the final nail in the amyloid hypothesis if results are negative.

It would be interesting to hear about some new approaches to AD outside of the amyloid approach. I came across a paper suggesting targeting TLRs, such as TLR9, could be a beneficial approach in AD. Not clear to me if this was distinctly related to the amyloid hypothesis or not though. Need to find that again.