Re: Early detection of Alzheimer's disease
Dew, I have posted elsewhere that the process of very early detection of Alzheimer's disease is quite a daunting task indeed (at least from the perspective of finding a commercially acceptable compound that would be useful in detection and/or treatment.) The pool of subjects would have to be quite large, would have to be followed for MANY years, and the costs associated with this type of research would be extraordinary. If this type of research was to validate a treatment, the question of treatment costs would also be extraordinary.
Consider one such candidate: Flurizan from MYGN.
Phase 2 data suggested that this compound, which clears Beta amyloid via aB42 lowering, clinically improved mild, but not moderate AD patients' cognitive functioning. I have suggested to some in the business that it was exactly because the brain burden of total amyloid for any patient past mild dementia would be so great as to create an environment where Flurizam could not address the damage already done. If there is already a baserate of 20-25% of amyloid buildup in unsymptomatic people at 65 years of age (I've heard some colleagues suggest that the presence can be documented MUCH earlier) the numbers of patients needing to be put on this type of drug would be unprecedented and the duration of treatment would rival that of meds like statins.
Those who followed the rise of statin drugs know that the evidence was glaring and in the face of the cardiology community for years before any tipping point occurred in the widespread use of these drugs.
Can it happen for Alzheimer's drugs? Sure. Will it? Only time (alot of it) will tell, IMO.
regards and happy new year to all
aj
AI
