Alzheimer's Disease News and Research

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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks of daily living. In most people with AD, symptoms first appear after age 60. AD is the most common cause of dementia among older people, but it is not a normal part of aging. Dementia refers to a decline in cognitive function that interferes with daily life and activities. AD starts in a region of the brain that affects recent memory, then gradually spreads to other parts of the brain. Although treatment can slow the progression of AD and help manage its symptoms in some people, currently there is no cure for this devastating disease.

Molecular mechanism behind mutation in calcium channel protein linked with night blindness

Congenital stationary night blindness, an inherited condition that affects one's ability to see in the dark, is caused by a mutation in a calcium channel protein that shuttles calcium into and out of cells. Now, researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have teased apart the molecular mechanism behind this mutation, uncovering a more general principle of how cells control calcium levels.

2 Apr 2010

Mouse study indicates rapamycin drug prevents Alzheimer's disease, extends lifespan

If research results continue to be repeated and are turned into clinical trials, a drug already approved for some uses could be marshaled - sooner than we expect - to prevent Alzheimer's disease in humans and improve health to the end of life.

2 Apr 2010

BELLUS Health initiates Phase I clinical study for NRM8499

BELLUS Health Inc. announced today that, on March 30, 2010, the Company initiated a Phase I clinical study for NRM8499, a prodrug of tramiprosate. NRM8499 is intended for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

1 Apr 2010

Metabolon awarded U.S. patents for metabolomics methods

Metabolon, Inc., the leader in global metabolism through biomarker discovery and analysis, announced today the grant of US Patent 7,682,783 and US Patent 7,682,784 entitled "Methods for Drug Discovery, Disease Treatment and Diagnosis Using Metabolomics". The USPTO awarded the patents to Metabolon on March 23, 2010. The issued claims in the new patents are for uses of metabolomics to identify diagnostic biomarkers for depression and schizophrenia by profiling classes of metabolites in a sample.

1 Apr 2010

Researchers develop experimental protocol to detect age-related memory disorders

By studying the aging of memory in the mouse, researchers in the Laboratoire Neurobiologie des Processus Adaptatifs have developed an experimental protocol that can detect age-related memory deficits at an early stage. They have shown that even at 10 months, which corresponds to a third of their life expectancy, some mice present with age-related memory disorders.

1 Apr 2010

Neurologist develops SAGE tool to diagnose memory disorders

A self-administered test to screen for early dementia could help speed the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of memory disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. It could also provide health care providers and caregivers an earlier indication of life-changing events that could lie ahead.

1 Apr 2010

ADDF grants Signum Biosciences $270,000 for evaluating PP2A-modulatory compounds as AD therapeutics

The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) announced today that it is providing a grant of $270,000 to Signum Biosciences, Inc. (Princeton, NJ) to evaluate small-molecule, orally delivered Protein Phosphatase 2a (PP2A)-modulatory compounds as disease-modifying therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease.

1 Apr 2010

Cell study may yield new treatment strategies for debilitating diseases

A Los Alamos National Laboratory toxicologist and a multidisciplinary team of researchers have documented potential cellular damage from "fullerenes"-soccer-ball-shaped, cage-like molecules composed of 60 carbon atoms. The team also noted that this particular type of damage might hold hope for treatment of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, or even cancer.

1 Apr 2010

Eisai Europe seeks EMA approval of eribulin mesylate for locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer

Eisai Europe Ltd. today announced that it has submitted a marketing authorization application to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for approval of eribulin mesylate, also known as 'E7389', for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer in Europe. Eribulin mesylate, a non-taxane microtubule dynamics inhibitor, is an investigational chemical compound discovered and developed by Eisai. Regulatory applications for eribulin mesylate have also been submitted in the United States and Japan.

31 Mar 2010

AFFiRiS AG develops PD01 vaccine for Parkinson's disease

Today AFFiRiS AG announced an important step forward in the development of its vaccine for Parkinson's disease. The vaccine, known as PD01, has undergone numerous preclinical tests which have confirmed its principle of action ("Proof of Concept").

31 Mar 2010

AAN awards 2010 Dreifuss-Penry Epilepsy Award to Vanderbilt University School of Medicine researcher

The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) is awarding the 2010 Dreifuss-Penry Epilepsy Award to Martin J. Gallagher MD, PhD, with Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Gallagher will receive the award during the AAN's 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, held April 10 through April 17, 2010.

31 Mar 2010

AAN awards Cedars-Sinai researcher 2010 Sheila Essey Award for ALS research

The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) is awarding the 2010 Sheila Essey Award-An Award for ALS Research to Clive Svendsen, PhD, with the Cedars-Sinai Regenerative Medicine Institute in Los Angeles, CA. Svendsen will receive the award during the AAN's 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, held April 10 through April 17, 2010.

31 Mar 2010

2010 John Dystel Prize for Multiple Sclerosis Research awarded to Yale University researcher

The American Academy of Neurology is awarding the 2010 John Dystel Prize for Multiple Sclerosis Research to David A. Hafler, MD, with Yale University. Hafler will receive the award during the AAN's 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, held April 10 through April 17, 2010.

31 Mar 2010

Eisai seeks simultaneous approval of eribulin mesylate in U.S., EU and Japan

Eisai Inc. today announced that it has submitted simultaneous regulatory applications for approval of eribulin mesylate (also known as E7389) for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer to agencies in Japan, the United States and the European Union (EU). Eribulin, a non-taxane microtubule dynamics inhibitor, is an investigational chemical compound discovered and developed by Eisai.

31 Mar 2010

Top neurologists to receive 2010 AAN Alliance Awards

The American Academy of Neurology will recognize the outstanding achievements of researchers in neurology during the AAN's 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto, April 10 through 17, 2010, the world's largest gathering of neurologists with more than 2,000 presentations on the latest advances in neurologic research.

31 Mar 2010

Neuroscientists prevent memory loss in fruit flies by blocking activity of PI3 kinase signaling protein

By blocking the cellular signaling activity of a protein, a team of neuroscientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) has prevented memory loss in fruit flies caused by brain plaques similar to those thought to cause Alzheimer's disease in humans. The study also resolves a long-standing controversy about the role of this protein, PI3 kinase, which was previously thought to have a protective function against the disease.

30 Mar 2010

Genetically manipulating rats to emulate Alzheimer's disease in humans

Prof. Claudio Cuello at McGill University and his collaborators have genetically manipulated rats that can emulate Alzheimer's disease in humans, enabling research that will include the development of new treatments. Alzheimer's is a devastating brain condition leading to a progressive decline of memory and other brain functions. Although research mice have been developed in the past, rats are more intelligent than other rodents and the behavior of these rats is rich and predictable, which means that for the first time researchers will be able to detect and study the evolution of learning and memory deficits.

30 Mar 2010

Decision Resources: Only 52.2% of first-line Alzheimer's disease patients prescribed AChEI

Decision Resources, one of the world's leading research and advisory firms focusing on pharmaceutical and healthcare issues, finds that while approximately 70 percent of surveyed physicians' newly diagnosed patients have mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease, only 52.2 percent of first-line patients are prescribed an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor.

30 Mar 2010

Ethical guidelines needed for research on persons with impaired decision making

How do we handle the ethical dilemmas of research on adults who can't give their informed consent? In a recent article in the journal Bioethics, ethicist Stefan Eriksson proposes a new approach to the dilemma of including dementia patients and others with limited decision making capabilities in research.

29 Mar 2010

New data on EHT 0202 for treatment of patients with AD presented at Geneva/Springfield Symposium

ExonHit Therapeutics announced today that promising new data on EHT 0202, its lead candidate in Alzheimer's disease, were presented at the 11th International Geneva/Springfield Symposium on Advances in Alzheimer Therapy from March 24th to March 27th in Geneva, Switzerland.

29 Mar 2010

Alzheimer's Disease News and Research

Further Reading

Molecular mechanism behind mutation in calcium channel protein linked with night blindness

Mouse study indicates rapamycin drug prevents Alzheimer's disease, extends lifespan

BELLUS Health initiates Phase I clinical study for NRM8499

Metabolon awarded U.S. patents for metabolomics methods

Researchers develop experimental protocol to detect age-related memory disorders

Neurologist develops SAGE tool to diagnose memory disorders

ADDF grants Signum Biosciences $270,000 for evaluating PP2A-modulatory compounds as AD therapeutics

Cell study may yield new treatment strategies for debilitating diseases

Eisai Europe seeks EMA approval of eribulin mesylate for locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer

AFFiRiS AG develops PD01 vaccine for Parkinson's disease

AAN awards 2010 Dreifuss-Penry Epilepsy Award to Vanderbilt University School of Medicine researcher

AAN awards Cedars-Sinai researcher 2010 Sheila Essey Award for ALS research

2010 John Dystel Prize for Multiple Sclerosis Research awarded to Yale University researcher

Eisai seeks simultaneous approval of eribulin mesylate in U.S., EU and Japan

Top neurologists to receive 2010 AAN Alliance Awards

Neuroscientists prevent memory loss in fruit flies by blocking activity of PI3 kinase signaling protein

Genetically manipulating rats to emulate Alzheimer's disease in humans

Decision Resources: Only 52.2% of first-line Alzheimer's disease patients prescribed AChEI

Ethical guidelines needed for research on persons with impaired decision making

New data on EHT 0202 for treatment of patients with AD presented at Geneva/Springfield Symposium

Aneuro: A Year of Neuroscience in Review eBook

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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