Solanezumab drug shows consisting health results in new clinical trial

Research about a new drug that can slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease suggested that disease progression rate can be cut down by a third.

Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly presented Solanezumab drug data at this year’s Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Washington, D.C. The drug attacks the amyloid plaques that accumulate in the brain during the progression of Alzheimer, responsible for damage and death of the brain cells and the outcome of the disease. As a difference from the existing treatments already (ex: Aricept), which could menage dementia symptoms, but not stop brain cells to die, it seems that Solanezumab is able to keep the brain cells alive, apart from dealing with dementia side-effects.

Dr. Maria Carrillo, Chief Science Officer of the Alzheimer’s Association declared: “It’s exciting to see significant advances in therapies for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, and it’s also important to see innovation in the management of behavioral symptoms”.

Solanezumab may be beneficial to patients in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, by cutting the progression rate by 34%, as cognition scores tests shown.

“The data from these new analyses present exciting possibilities and we look forward to the results of future studies in these experimental drugs,” says Carrillo. “Treatment advances that support family care giving and enable people to stay home longer can have a tremendous emotional and economic impact.”

It is also important that patients get the drug earlier in the stages of disease development, for better outcome.

Source: http://www.news-medical.net/news/20150723/New-drug-shows-promise-in-slowing-Alzheimere28099s-disease.aspx