Replies to post #198575 on Biotech Values

[IanFromSI]

I just have a difficult time believing that millions of years of evolution would result in the brain producing a protein that causes AD.

I find it easier to believe that Amyloid Beta is part of the brain's "immune response" to an unwelcome "invader".

Detecting the precise nature of the infection by biopsy of the entire brain is probably not very helpful to the pt!!!

Nevertheless, I suspect that research directed at identifying then treating actual infections is more likely to lead directly to an AD cure.

[mcbio]

p.s. My cursory, kneejerk reaction to the fungal-infection thesis for AD was skepticism (www.siliconinvestor.com/readmsg.aspx?msgid=30293630 ).

Thanks for the links. Is the next step to test the fungal-infection thesis trials of anti-fungal drugs in AD patients? Or do these not penetrate the BBB so of no use?

[oc631]

There are still more experts in AD who believe AB is relevant than there are experts who believe it isn’t.

Right. My sister works for the Taub Institute in NYC. They have been strong supporters of the amyloid hypothesis



http://www.cumc.columbia.edu/dept/taub/index.html



I asked her to pose McBio's question on Verubecestat differentiation to one of the lead clinical experts in the field. With his permission, I'll post his name and/or response after the holidays.

I try to respect the lines between academia and investment. It's hard to ask questions about BACE inhibitors without sounding condescending, considering the disappointment and failure rate. Being a supporter and large shareholder in LGND, it would also be prudent for me to ask this question to the team that designed the molecule. Thanks for the homework McBio. Perhaps I should go back to semi-retirement and lurking...

[biomaven0]

>>The abstract for the paper in question:
http://www.nature.com/articles/srep15015

Just be warned - this, despite appearing on the Nature website, is not actually a Nature article but from some other lesser publication they have started. It's certainly not a Nature quality article either - I remember being a bit befuddled when I read it until I found out that it wasn't actually what it appeared to be.

For a thesis like this it's always hard to know the direction of causality. AD brains are different, and it is at very least plausible that AD brains are more susceptible to fungal invasions.

Peter