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BMC Neurology
Published in: BMC Neurology 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Debate

Moving beyond anti-amyloid therapy for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

Authors: Michael A Castello, John David Jeppson, Salvador Soriano

Published in: BMC Neurology | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Background

High-profile Phase 3 clinical trials of bapineuzumab and solanezumab, antibodies targeted at amyloid-beta (Aβ) removal, have failed to meet their primary endpoints. Neither drug improves clinical outcomes in patients with late onset AD, joining a long list of unsuccessful attempts to treat AD with anti-amyloid therapies.

Discussion

These therapies are based on the assumption that Aβ accumulation is the primary pathogenic trigger of AD. Current evidence suggests that Aβ may actually accumulate as part of an adaptive response to long-term chronic brain stress stimuli that would make more suitable candidates for therapeutic intervention.

Summary

At this juncture it is no longer unreasonable to suggest that further iterations of anti-Aβ therapies should be halted. Clinicians and researchers should instead direct their attention toward greater understanding of the biological function of Aβ both in healthy and demented brains, as well as the involvement of long-term chronic exposure to stress in the etiology of AD.
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Metadata
Title
Moving beyond anti-amyloid therapy for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors
Michael A Castello
John David Jeppson
Salvador Soriano
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Neurology / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2377
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-014-0169-0

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