Newswise — Alzheimer’s therapeutic trials have gotten bad press lately, but it is not all gloom and doom. As evident at the 5th Clinical Trials in Alzheimer’s Disease (CTAD) conference, held 29-31 October in the Principality of Monaco, scientists keep extracting new data from recent drug trials to gear up for a round of new ones that aim to tackle Alzheimer’s earlier than ever before. The Alzheimer Research Forum, an online resource specializing in Alzheimer’s and related diseases, reported on event highlights.

At CTAD, the latest news on immunotherapies was most anticipated. Bapineuzumab and solanezumab are monoclonal antibodies that target Aβ, the principal component of the senile plaques found in brains of people with AD. Both fell short of their main goal in recent phase 3 trials. New data at CTAD confirms that solanezumab slowed mental decline up to 35 percent in the mildest group of patients. Bapineuzumab knocked down protein markers of brain cell death in the cerebrospinal fluid, but slightly hastened brain shrinkage. The hints of benefit for solanezumab offer hope for patients treated in early stages of the disease. Researchers continue to analyze both data sets to learn all they can about why these drugs failed in some aspects and succeeded in others (see Part 2). “These datasets are very large, and have more to tell us,” said Paul Aisen of the University of California, San Diego.

Researchers also discussed the best ways to conduct trials targeting earlier stages of Alzheimer’s, perhaps even before symptoms begin. The conference highlighted plans to refine the tools and designs necessary for this. Presenters pointed out the need to study younger age groups in clinical trials, because it is difficult to distinguish normal cognitive changes from those related to dementia in people over 85. Others suggested researchers administer cognitive tests more and avoid tests that people master with practice. Practice effects can make it difficult to separate improvements due to drugs over those that occur on placebo. (see Part 1).

For data analysis, some scientists are adopting Bayesian statistics—the type that gained recent fame when it was used to correctly predict the U.S. Presidential election. This approach allows investigators to adapt trials as they are underway (see Part 4). Used successfully in cancer, adaptive methods could reveal the optimum dose of a drug by testing far fewer patients and in less time than is currently done, researchers say.

Alzforum’s CTAD coverage highlights how drug regulatory agencies are evolving their stance on AD (see Part 3), trials of a new anti-inflammatory drug in people who are genetically at-risk of AD (see Part 5), the use of electroencephalography to monitor drug efficacy in trials, a sneak peak at European trials trying to prevent AD with lifestyle changes (see Part 6), and a look at the possible health economics of a goal researchers have been after, that is, a treatment that slows the course of AD, not just its symptoms.

Alzforum’s seven-part series published beginning on November 8, 2012, is freely available on the ARF website.

About Alzforum: The Alzheimer Research Forum (www.alzforum.org), founded in 1996, is the web's most dynamic scientific community dedicated to understanding Alzheimer disease and related disorders. Access to the web site is free to all. The Forum’s editorial priorities are as diverse as the needs of the research community. The web site reports on the latest scientific findings, from basic research to clinical trials; creates and maintains public databases of essential research data and reagents; and produces discussion forums to promote debate, speed the dissemination of new ideas, and break down barriers across the numerous disciplines that can contribute to the global effort to cure Alzheimer's disease.

The ARF team of professional science writers and editors, information technology experts, web developers and producers all work closely with its distinguished and diverse Advisory Board to ensure a high quality of information and services. The Alzheimer Research Forum is an independent nonprofit organization supported by grants and individual donations. The web site does not endorse any specific product or scientific approach.

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