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."

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 [ouhsc.edu] at the website of the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation [ouhsc.edu] 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.

Hope

[Raindeer]

"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."

First let me express the hope never to see anything of this disease. What struck me in this quote was the fact that so often Alzheimer patients don't know anymore what is wrong with them. Espescially in the latter stages. The pain on the family is the thing that I find the most gruesome thing. To see your loved one change into a mental wreck, not a shadow of the person he/she used to be is a torture. To offer them hope is something I pray for. As long as it doesn't result in prolonged suffering. To the guys of Slashdot I want to say that it is good that you also show this, next to all the upbeat stories.

Clinical trials starting in Britain

[Cy Guy]

ELAN Pharmaceuticals has been approved [yahoo.com] 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 [yahoo.com] 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.)

Re:Hope

[unitron]

Unfortunately there's no less pain when the patients do have occasional flashes of coherence during which they do realize that something is wrong.

Rays of Coherency?

[Anonymous Coward]

I've been told that you do have times of lucidy during such mental breakdowns, and on the recommendation (unoffically) of a doctor, I'm told that I can step in front of a Mac truck if I jump quick.

I just hope they don't safety-proof the whole world by the time I get that old/decrepit.

-- Ender, Duke_of_URL

Re:Clinical trials starting in Britain

[inchoate]

To add: The rough estimate (from the data that I've seen) is something like 50% of the population that's over the age of 85 has Alzheimer's. That's an astounding number, when you think about it. Especially for a disease that has no established cause (what causes plaques?), no effective treatment or cure, and for which there is no definitive diagnosis until after death.