An Alzheimer’s Treatment Fails: ‘We Don’t Have Anything Now’

[JacksinPA]

An Alzheimer’s Treatment Fails: ‘We Don’t Have Anything Now’ - The New York Times

With high hopes, drugs to fight brain plaques were tested in people genetically destined to develop dementia. The drugs failed.[paywall]

The study aimed to show that Alzheimer’s disease could be stopped if treatment began before symptoms emerged. The participants were the best candidates that scientists could find: still healthy, but with a rare genetic mutation that guaranteed they would develop dementia.

For five years, on average, the volunteers received monthly infusions or injections of one of two experimental drugs, along with annual blood tests, brain scans, spinal taps and cognitive tests.
=============================================================T The drugs did nothing to slow or stop cognitive decline in these subjects, dashing The hopes of scientists were dashed. The drugs did nothing.

Pfizer & other major pharma companies have recently dropped major Alzheimer's drug studies due to lack of progress. These drugs could be huge profit-generators if they worked.

 

[Parrish]

Such a drug could have given me back my sister.

 

[Felis Leo]

An Alzheimer’s Treatment Fails: ‘We Don’t Have Anything Now’ - The New York Times

With high hopes, drugs to fight brain plaques were tested in people genetically destined to develop dementia. The drugs failed.[paywall]

The study aimed to show that Alzheimer’s disease could be stopped if treatment began before symptoms emerged. The participants were the best candidates that scientists could find: still healthy, but with a rare genetic mutation that guaranteed they would develop dementia.

For five years, on average, the volunteers received monthly infusions or injections of one of two experimental drugs, along with annual blood tests, brain scans, spinal taps and cognitive tests.
=============================================================T The drugs did nothing to slow or stop cognitive decline in these subjects, dashing The hopes of scientists were dashed. The drugs did nothing.

Pfizer & other major pharma companies have recently dropped major Alzheimer's drug studies due to lack of progress. These drugs could be huge profit-generators if they worked.

That is so saddening. There may very well be no cure.

 

[JacksinPA]

Such a drug could have given me back my sister.

I visited the local hospital ER a few years back with the symptom of light headedness. It took them 4 hours to run a battery of tests including a brain scan x-ray. This is a typical test for indications of Alzheimer's as it shows indications of the advent of this disease. Luckily they had no positive report from this test. While I'm experiencing lapses of both long & short-term memory, the probability of my contracting full-blown Alzheimer's is minimal.

 

[JacksinPA]

That is so saddening. There may very well be no cure.

Such a cure may take many years to develop.