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Dementia drug data set to be revealed Dementia drug data set to be revealed
(about 5 hours later)
Eagerly awaited data on the most promising drug in treating Alzheimer's disease is set to be unveiled later.Eagerly awaited data on the most promising drug in treating Alzheimer's disease is set to be unveiled later.
Patients and scientists hope it could become the first medication to slow the pace of brain decline.Patients and scientists hope it could become the first medication to slow the pace of brain decline.
The decline in Alzheimer's is unstoppable - drugs can help with symptoms, but nothing prevents the inexorable death of brain cells.The decline in Alzheimer's is unstoppable - drugs can help with symptoms, but nothing prevents the inexorable death of brain cells.
Hints at the drug's effectiveness will be outlined, but Solanezumab has been the great hope of dementia research.Hints at the drug's effectiveness will be outlined, but Solanezumab has been the great hope of dementia research.
It targets deformed proteins called amyloid that build up in the brain during Alzheimer's.It targets deformed proteins called amyloid that build up in the brain during Alzheimer's.
It is thought the formation of sticky plaques of amyloid between nerve cells leads to damage and eventually brain cell death.It is thought the formation of sticky plaques of amyloid between nerve cells leads to damage and eventually brain cell death.
Trials of the drug seemingly ended in failure in 2012.Trials of the drug seemingly ended in failure in 2012.
But when the US company Eli Lilly looked more closely at the data, there were hints it could be working for patients in the earliest stages of the disease.But when the US company Eli Lilly looked more closely at the data, there were hints it could be working for patients in the earliest stages of the disease.
Those people have continued to take the drugs and results on how they have progressed are due to be revealed later at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Washington.Those people have continued to take the drugs and results on how they have progressed are due to be revealed later at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Washington.
It is known that these drugs are not stopping, halting or curing dementia.It is known that these drugs are not stopping, halting or curing dementia.
The closer analysis of the 2012 data showed that all patients continued their cognitive decline - but seemingly at a slower pace in those taking the drugs.The closer analysis of the 2012 data showed that all patients continued their cognitive decline - but seemingly at a slower pace in those taking the drugs.
Yet developing a drug that just slows the pace of dementia would be regarded by experts as a groundbreaking moment.Yet developing a drug that just slows the pace of dementia would be regarded by experts as a groundbreaking moment.
Estimates suggest that delaying the onset of dementia by five years would reduce the number of cases by a third.Estimates suggest that delaying the onset of dementia by five years would reduce the number of cases by a third.
Data being released on Wednesday could represent a step closer to that breakthrough drug, but the critical moment will be a fresh clinical trial expected to report next year.Data being released on Wednesday could represent a step closer to that breakthrough drug, but the critical moment will be a fresh clinical trial expected to report next year.
The idea that amyloid is the main culprit in Alzheimer's is still hotly debated so promising drug trial data would also hint that scientists are at least on the right track.The idea that amyloid is the main culprit in Alzheimer's is still hotly debated so promising drug trial data would also hint that scientists are at least on the right track.
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