Advances in Alzheimer's disease drug development

BMC Med. 2015 Mar 25:13:62. doi: 10.1186/s12916-015-0297-4.

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.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / drug therapy*
  • Alzheimer Disease / etiology
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Drug Design*
  • Humans
  • Neuroprotective Agents / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Neuroprotective Agents