In preclinical trials of partially paralyzed mice with nerves lacking the insulating sheath of myelin ( simulating Multiple Sclerosis) , A2-73 re-myelinized nerves and restored nerve conduction and muscle function.
It seems likely to me that a neuron performs poorly before it dies. There are a number of theories as to what is actually going on with the neurons that causes poor performance and death. One is cellular debris clean out process has become compromised do to poor mitochondria function reducing the available energy to the cell. Another is protein misfolding due to poor mitochondrial function.
2-73 has been shown to improve ER and mitochondrial communication and functioning. That could well restore the reduce cellular energy which would result in debris clean out in the cell and proper protein folding. The result of these improvements could be neuron functioning restoration.
So the point I'm making is that 2-73 could well restore neuron functioning in neurons that are not dead yet but functioning poorly. That could be what is causing improved functioning in some AD patients compared to baseline.
Another possibility is 2-73 helps improve sleep. Good sleep is when the brain flushes out cellular debris. Not to mention that people just function better when they get good sleep.
These theories are not proven but there is some support for these ideas in Anavex's research.