Forest Ray PhD,  —

Forest Ray received his PhD in systems biology from Columbia University, where he developed tools to match drug side effects to other diseases. He has since worked as a journalist and science writer, covering topics from rare diseases to the intersection between environmental science and social justice. He currently lives in Long Beach, California.

Articles by Forest Ray

#AAIC21 – BIIB080 Safely Lowered Tau Levels in Patients in Phase 1 Trial

BIIB080, an investigational therapy for Alzheimer’s disease, was safe and well-tolerated, and sustainably lowered patients’ levels of tau — a protein linked to neurodegeneration, according to topline results of a Phase 1b clinical trial. “There is clearly an urgent need to develop and deliver effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease,…

Donanemab Shows Potential for Early Alzheimer’s in Phase 2 Trial

Donanemab showed an ability to slow cognitive decline and the loss of daily life abilities in people at earlier stages of Alzheimer’s disease relative to those given a placebo in the Phase 2 TRAILBLAZER-ALZ trial, researchers report. A plaque-targeting therapy, donanemab also cleared substantial amounts of amyloid plaques in the brains…

Neurostimulation Slows Decline in Mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s, Trial Finds

Non-invasive neurostimulation given to people with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease significantly and safely slowed their rate of functional and cognitive decline, meeting key goals of the Phase 2 OVERTURE study, according to data presented at the 2021 AD/PD Conference. Its neurostimulation device, being referred to as a digital therapeutic, uses gamma frequency…

FDA Finds ‘Deficiencies’ in Request for Nuplazid to Treat Dementia-Related Psychosis

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found “deficiencies” that preclude discussing further steps in the approval process for Nuplazid (pimavanserin) as a possible treatment of dementia-related psychosis, according to a press release from Acadia Pharmaceuticals, Nuplazid’s maker. Discussions on “labeling and post-marketing requirements/commitments” cannot take place before certain…

FDA Extends Its Aducanumab Review With Decision Expected in June

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has extended its review period for aducanumab (BIIB037), an investigational therapy for Alzheimer’s disease being co-developed by Biogen and Eisai. The three-month extension means the new deadline to review the compound’s biologics license application (BLA), also known as the Prescription…

Specific Tau Protein Shows Potential as Blood Biomarker in Early Studies

A specific form of the tau protein, called phosphorylated-tau-217 or p-tau217, may function as a blood biomarker of Alzheimer’s disease, allow the development of blood tests to accurately diagnose the disease at earlier stages. These are the findings of three studies presented during the recent Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC)…