Interim data from IGC Pharma’s Phase 2 trial reveals IGC-AD1, a novel drug targeting neuro-inflammation and CB1 receptor dysfunction, demonstrates significant cognitive improvement in Alzheimer’s patients alongside previously reported agitation reduction. This offers potential for a new treatment addressing both symptoms and underlying disease progression.
Biogen Inc. reported strong third-quarter earnings, exceeding analyst estimates on both earnings per share and revenue. The company’s Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi saw significant sales growth, but multiple sclerosis revenue continued to decline. Biogen also raised its 2024 earnings guidance and expects revenue to be relatively flat next year.
Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) announced positive results from its TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 6 study, demonstrating a significant reduction in ARIA-E, a side effect associated with Alzheimer’s treatments, in patients receiving a modified dosing regimen of donanemab. The study revealed a 41% lower relative risk of ARIA-E in the modified group compared to standard dosing, with the most notable reduction seen in patients carrying the APOE4 gene, a known risk factor for Alzheimer’s.
Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has hinted at the potential for Neuralink, his brain-machine interface company, to develop an implant for early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. He suggests focusing on alleviating back and neck pain with the technology, while also acknowledging the potential for limited help in later stages of Alzheimer’s due to extensive neuronal loss.
Sage Therapeutics has announced the discontinuation of further clinical development of its drug dalzanemdor for Alzheimer’s disease following disappointing results from the Phase 2 LIGHTWAVE study. The study failed to demonstrate a statistically significant difference in cognitive function between patients treated with dalzanemdor and those receiving placebo. This setback follows earlier failures in trials for dalzanemdor in Parkinson’s disease and the termination of a collaboration agreement with Biogen for another drug candidate, SAGE-324.
Japan has become the second major market to approve Eli Lilly’s Kisunla (donanemab) for treating early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. The drug targets amyloid plaques in the brain, which are believed to contribute to the disease’s progression, and has shown promising results in slowing cognitive decline. This approval comes as the number of dementia cases in Japan is expected to exceed 5 million by 2030.
Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive neurological disorder, is causing increasing concern globally. This article explores its key symptoms, risk factors, including genetics, and sheds light on the latest advances in treatment and prevention. We discuss the role of medications, lifestyle changes, and emerging experimental therapies like immunotherapy. The importance of early detection and the need for comprehensive care are highlighted, providing insights into navigating this complex disease.
A research team led by University of Saskatchewan researchers Changiz Taghibiglou and Sara Mardanisamani is developing an AI-powered screening tool to detect Alzheimer’s disease early using retina scans. The tool, which analyzes the thickness of retinal layers, aims to provide earlier detection to allow for lifestyle modifications and interventions to slow disease progression. The project has received funding from the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation and could potentially lead to a database or app to assist clinicians in patient care.
Different versions of RNA encoded by single genes may play a role in Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new study published in the journal ‘Science Advances’. The researchers analyzed brain tissue from deceased organ donors and found 700 RNA isoforms that had never been described before. Notably, the genes behind these isoforms were equally active in both groups of people with and without Alzheimer’s. However, the levels of nearly 100 of these isoforms differed in the brains of people with and without Alzheimer’s.
The concept of a brain microbiome has emerged in recent years, challenging long-held beliefs about the brain’s isolation from other body systems. Various studies have hinted at the presence of microorganisms in the brain, indicating their potential role in brain function and disease. The discovery of the brain microbiome opens avenues for exploring novel therapeutic approaches for neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s.
