[HTML][HTML] Advances in Alzheimer's disease drug development

MS Rafii, PS Aisen - BMC medicine, 2015 - Springer
MS Rafii, PS Aisen
BMC medicine, 2015Springer
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the foremost cause of dementia worldwide. Clinically, AD
manifests as progressive memory impairment followed by a gradual decline in other
cognitive abilities leading to complete functional dependency. Recent biomarker studies
indicate that AD is characterized by a long asymptomatic phase, with the development of
pathology occurring at least a decade prior to the onset of any symptoms. Current FDA-
approved treatments target neurotransmitter abnormalities associated with the disease but …
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the foremost cause of dementia worldwide. Clinically, AD manifests as progressive memory impairment followed by a gradual decline in other cognitive abilities leading to complete functional dependency. Recent biomarker studies indicate that AD is characterized by a long asymptomatic phase, with the development of pathology occurring at least a decade prior to the onset of any symptoms. Current FDA-approved treatments target neurotransmitter abnormalities associated with the disease but do not affect what is believed to be the underlying etiology. In this review, we briefly discuss the most recent therapeutic strategies being employed in AD clinical trials, as well the scientific rationale with which they have been developed.
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