Neurochem drug may treat cause of Alzheimer’s

The only drugs currently available for Alzheimer’s patients are those that alleviate symptoms.

Research has shown that a compound called tramiprosate has reduced levels of a marker for the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in a phase II clinical trial.

“Everyone wants to figure out how to create an Alzheimer’s treatment that attacks the amyloid peptide, which is considered to be the molecular cause of the disease,” said Paul Aisen, director of the Memory Disorders program at Georgetown University Medical Center. “This is the most advanced anti-amyloid treatment that exists it has the potential for slowing down progression of the disease.”

Phase III clinical trials of tramiprosaten are currently ongoing and results are expected for early next summer.