Over 300 Different Compounds Are at Various Stages of Development for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease - Research in Alzheimer's Disease 2007.DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c1616) has announced the addition of the Jain PharmaBiotech report: Alzheimer Disease - New Drugs, Markets and Companies to their offering. Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease (ăls`hī'mərz, ôls–), degenerative disease of nerve cells in the cerebral cortex that leads to atrophy of the brain and senile dementia. remains a challenge in management. With nearly 8 million sufferers from this condition in the seven major markets of the world and anticipated increases in the future. Considerable research is in progress to understand the pathomechanism of the disease and find a cure. The only drugs approved currently are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors but they do not correct the basic pathology of the disease, beta amyloid amyloid /am·y·loid/ (am´i-loid) 1. starchlike; amylaceous. 2. the pathologic, extracellular, waxy, amorphous substance deposited in amyloidosis, being composed of fibrils in bundles or in a meshwork of polypeptide deposits and neurofibrillary tangles Neurofibrillary tangles Abnormal structures, composed of twisted masses of protein fibers within nerve cells, found in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. Mentioned in: Dementia . Several new approaches emphasize neuroprotection as well. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is an important first step in management. Several biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Clear, colourless liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord and fills the spaces in them. It helps support the brain, acts as a lubricant, maintains pressure in the skull, and cushions shocks. , blood and urine can detect the disease. They provide a valuable aid to the clinical examination and neuropsychological testing Neuropsychological testing Tests used to evaluate patients who have experienced a traumatic brain injury, brain damage, or organic neurological problems (e.g., dementia). which are the main diagnostic methods supplemented by brain imaging. Genotyping, particularly of ApoE gene alleles is also useful in the evaluation of cases and planning management. The current management of Alzheimer's disease is reviewed and it involves a multidisciplinary approach multidisciplinary approach A term referring to the philosophy of converging multiple specialties and/or technologies to establish a diagnosis or effect a therapy . Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are mostly a symptomatic treatment but some claims are made about a neuroprotective effect. Currently the only approved neuroprotective therapy in is memantine. Management of these patients also require neuroleptics Neuroleptics Any of a class of drugs used to treat psychotic conditions. Mentioned in: Stuttering, Tardive Dyskinesia for aggressive behavior and antidepressants Antidepressants Medications prescribed to relieve major depression. Classes of antidepressants include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (fluoxetine/Prozac, sertraline/Zoloft), tricyclics (amitriptyline/ Elavil), MAOIs (phenelzine/Nardil), and heterocyclics . There is an emphasis on early detection at the stage of mild cognitive impairment mild cognitive impairment (MCI), n memory loss generally associated with aging; does not affect normal independent functioning of an individual. and early institution of neuroprotective measures. The value of mental exercise in delaying the onset of Alzheimer's disease is being recognized. Research in Alzheimer's disease still aims at elucidating the basic pathomechanisms. Animal models are important for research, particularly in testing some of the potential therapeutic approaches. There is considerable research in progress at the various centers, some of which is funded by the National Institute of Aging of the National Institutes of Health. Over 300 different compounds are at various stages of development for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. These are classified and described. There are non-pharmacological approaches such as vagal vagal /va·gal/ (va´gal) pertaining to the vagus nerve. va·gal adj. Of or relating to the vagus nerve. vagal pertaining to the vagus nerve. nerve stimulation and cerebrospinal fluid shunting, which are in clinical trials. Over 120 clinical trials are listed, of which 91 are still in progress and 29 were discontinued for various reasons. The Alzheimer's disease market in the seven major markets is analyzed for the year 2006. Several new therapies are expected to be in the market and the shares of various types of approaches are estimated for the future up to the year 2015. As a background to the markets, pharmacoeconomic aspects of care of Alzheimer disease patients and patterns of practice are reviewed in the seven major markets. Profiles of 141 companies involved in developing diagnostics and therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease are presented along with their collaborations. The bibliography contains over 600 publications that are cited in the report. The report is supplemented with 39 tables and 14 figures. Content Outline: 0. Executive Summary 1. Clinical Features, Epidemiology and Pathology 2. Diagnostic Procedures for Alzheimer Disease 3. Management of Alzheimer Disease 4. Research in Alzheimer Disease 5. Drug Discovery & Development for Alzheimer Disease 6. Markets & Finances of AD Care 7. Companies 8. References For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c1616 |
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