New drug could cure Alzheimer's disease

New Alzheimer's Remedy is being tested in human clinical trials

Currently, the first patient trial is taking place to test a new drug for curing Alzheimer's disease. An approach is tested on people who have been developing for 40 years. The drug is designed to remove a specific protein from the brain and stop the disease from progressing.

Researchers led by University College London (UCL) are starting a clinical trial that could revolutionize the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. The new drug removes a protein called serum amyloid P-Compont (SAP), which contributes to the formation of harmful deposits in the brain or even directly triggers the cell death of brain cells. SAP is suspected of triggering Alzheimer's disease.

New hope for Alzheimer's patients. A new drug, with the potential to stop the disease, is currently in clinical trials. (Image: freshidea / fotolia.com)

Alzheimer's is becoming an ever bigger problem

As the UCL experts report, Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia. Typical symptoms include memory loss, thinking and problem-solving difficulties and speech disorders. Worldwide, around 35 million people are affected by Alzheimer's. According to calculations, this number will double in 20 years if no cure is found.

Past research failed

Despite billions of investments and numerous studies, science has failed to develop effective treatment over the last 20 years. Many pharmaceutical companies have withdrawn from research. "After a long struggle to fund our divergent approach to the possible treatment of Alzheimer's disease, it's exciting to finally start clinical trials," says development director Professor Sir Mark Pepys in a press release.

State funding

Contrary to many previous researches, there is no financial interest behind the approach. This non-commercial study is fully funded by the UK's National Institute for Health Research. "We urgently need new drug targets for Alzheimer's disease, so this study needs to be completed as soon as possible," says study leader Professor Martin Rossor.

How is the new approach different??

As the researchers explain, so far almost all drugs tested have focused on abnormal protein accumulations called amyloid plaques and Alzheimer's fibrils. These deposits are always present in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. Past research aimed to prevent or remove these deposits. The team led by Pepys and Rossor has identified in 40 years of research with amyloid another protagonist, which contributes to the formation of deposits.

Taking a protein can stop Alzheimer's?

The scientists found in the study "Depletion of serum Amyloid P Component in Alzheimer's Disease" that a protein called serum amyloid P-Compont (SAP) is always associated with amyloid fibers in the body. Based on these findings, they developed the drug Miridesap, which removes SAP from the blood. The researchers also proved that SAP has a deleterious effect on brain cells, regardless of Alzheimer's disease. In the brains of Alzheimer's patients, the team was able to detect an increased number of SAP proteins. "It is therefore also possible that SAP directly causes the death of brain cells and thus triggers dementia," summarize the researchers.

This is how the new drug Miridesap works

The protein SAP is not produced in the brain according to the scientists. Instead, it enters the brain via the blood. Miridesap removes the said protein from the blood and this is therefore no longer available in the brain. Side effects are not known yet.

A promising approach

In the now starting clinical test Miridesap should show what it really can. 100 patients with early-onset Alzheimer's should receive the drug for more than one year. At the same time, changes in brain structure and function are documented. The plan is for a duration of about three years. (Vb)