Inhibitor For Alzheimer's Discovered

kilpatjr writes "The same researchers at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation credited with the discovery of Memapsin2, an enzyme which causes Alzheimer's disease, have discovered an inhibitor. The drug is still a few years off, but this is a huge step."

I asked a friend of mine who is familiar with Alzheimer's, JimTinklenberg, to comment on this news. He writes:

"It's an exciting prospect, but it's a bit early for the banners to be unfurled. Plaques are indeed the product of rather chaotic breakdown by enzymes such as memapsin, but memapsin is not the only enzyme that can do it. In addition, intracellular NFTs (the tangles referred to) are not formed by the same processes as the amyloid plaques.

"And as we all know, there's a big difference between the theory of something that can halt a disease process and actually developing a safe drug that puts the theory into practice.

"I guess I would consider this news significant. It's not like we have much else to offer Alzheimer's patients in the way of hope."

Comments

Comment on the Oklahoman Online article

[Guppy]

I'm glad you included Mr. Tinklenberg's comments. As is sometimes the case with mainstream press coverage of science, the Oklahoman article is just a little too enthusiastic. For instance, the original press release at the website of the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation has the following paragraph printed in a big bold font:

"It is critical to note while this progress is an important step towards a successful treatment of Alzheimer's disease, the present Memapsin 2 inhibitor should not be mistaken as a drug itself. The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation does not have a drug for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease at this stage of research..."

Of course, it's not entirely the fault of the press. Apart from the disclaimer, the OMRF's press release makes some sweeping declarations that you wouldn't see in a scientific paper.

Clinical trials starting in Britain

[Cy Guy]

ELAN Pharmaceuticals has been approved to begin clinical trials of another compound in Great Britain. It uses the immune system to attack amyloid proteins. They're research is partially funded by American Home Products and hope to get FDA approval by 2003.

(note: I have stock in ELAN, largely because Alzheimers affects something like 10% of everyone over 60, and the increases in life expectancy mean that this will become an increasing problem both for the patients and for their children, as well as the cost to society at large.)