Marta Figueiredo, PhD, science writer —

Nuplazid (pimavanserin) is more effective in reducing severe psychotic symptoms — particularly hallucinations and delusions — in Alzheimer’s disease patients than in those with milder symptoms, according to additional Phase 2 clinical trial results. The study, “Pimavanserin in Alzheimer’s Disease Psychosis: Efficacy in Patients with…

Researchers have identified two biomarkers that could help determine which Alzheimer’s disease patients can benefit from Anavex 2-73 treatment. The results were reported at the 2018 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) in Chicago. The study, “Systematic Processing of Full Genomic Analysis of ANAVEX®2-73 Phase 2a Alzheimer’s…

Verubecestat (MK-8931) indeed failed to slow cognitive and functional decline in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s patients despite some reduction in beta-amyloid levels seen, final results of a Phase 2/3 study closed early by Merck for lack of efficacy confirmed. The researchers behind this study suggested these findings may call into question…

New data on how Allergan’s Namenda (memantine) — given in combination with cholinesterase inhibitors — works to help ease some symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting in Los Angeles, April 21-27. The data, the results of five studies supported by Allergan,…

A new algorithm can quantify faster and more effectively the amount of brain amyloid plaques during positron emission tomography (PET) scans for use in subject stratification and clinical trials of Alzheimer’s disease, according to the developers. The new technique, developed by Invicro, was presented earlier this year at the…

Results from a pilot Phase 4 clinical trial evaluating the potential benefit of a known blood pressure and heart failure treatment, carvedilol, in Alzheimer’s disease showed the medicine had no effect in the episodic memory of patients. However, carvedilol was able to prevent the increase of beta-amyloid levels in cerebrospinal…

CTD Holdings and the Kerwin Research Center are discussing working together on the use of cholesterol-lowering therapies called cyclodextrins as possible treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. Cyclodextrins are non-toxic compounds made up of sugar molecules that can bind with and extract cholesterol. Preclinical-trial studies in Niemann-Pick disease and Alzheimer’s show they can…