One of the most commonly accepted explanations for the cause behind the onset of Alzheimer's disease is the buildup of beta amyloid proteins in the brain. While researchers have tried to eliminate this buildup, new scientific direction is moving towards preventing it in the first place.

Crenezuamb, a recently developed drug, is currently undergoing trials to test its effectiveness at preventing the buildup, and stopping the development of Alzheimer's disease entirely.

Drug Composition And Theoretical Use

A drug of particular attention among its 25 rival composites, Crenezuamb is developed based on the amyloid theory of Alzheimer's, which asserts that a gradual buildup of beta amyloid proteins in the body are what causes the disease to develop and progress.

For decades, researchers have tried producing drugs that reduce or eliminate this buildup—there has been some success, but none of the drugs that are effective in reducing the buildup also carry cognitive or memory benefits.

But instead of eliminating a beta amyloid buildup in the brain, Crenezumab is designed to work before the buildup occurs, preventing it completely. The drug stands out from its rivals, because it minimizes both vasogenic edema and micro-hemorrhages in the brain, both prohibitive side effects that could negate the drug's positive results.

You Might Like This:

Current Status

So far, testing of Crenezumab in animals and in some humans has been very promising. Roche Holding AG's Genentech unit, the manufacturer of the experimental drug, administered each of its 25 possible drugs in a series of animal tests to gauge the possible positive effects and side effects of each.

While many of the candidates caused bleeding in the brain or an imbalance of other bodily fluids, Crenezumab stood out as causing no major side effects in the study population.

Extended Phase: Three Trials

The most recent testing will involve a thorough study on the drug's preventative capacity in people with no signs of dementia. The test will involve several members of an extended Colombian family who carry a gene that causes the early onset of Alzheimer's disease. The trials will cost an estimated $100 million dollars, partly stemming from various governmental grants and non-profit contributors, and will take place between 2013 and 2017.

The trial will take 200 members of the family, 100 of which will be administered Crenezumab, and the other 100 of which will receive a placebo. Researchers will use a series of memory and cognition tests to measure the results. Scientists believe that even if the trial fails, it may not rule out the possibility of the drug's effectiveness. Conditions may simply mean that the drug was administered too late in the disease's manifestation.

Future

The drug's potential use is promising, but researchers won't know the full effectiveness for humans until the results of the study are completed in five years.

If the drug is shown to be effective, it will undergo another series of tests in different portions of the population, and begin circulating as a possible preventative treatment for individuals who are genetically vulnerable to developing the disease.

0655