When will we stop funding the crowds of researchers rushing up blind allies in the hopes finding a cure for “it” – something we have yet to all agree on what “it” really is, and what really causes “it”?…. Alzheimer’s Reading Room The following press release and response were entered by Richard Taylor under the article — Brain Exercises May Slow Cognitive Decline Initially, But Speed Up Dementia Later. I wanted to be sure that everyone was able to see it and read it so I moved it up as an article. PRESS RELEASE Sept. 1, 2010, 12:16 p.m. EDT • Recommend • Post: Alzheimer’s Therapeutics Reviewed by NeuroInvestment CARDIFF, CA, Sep 01, 2010 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) — NI Research has released the September issue of NeuroInvestment, which features a comprehensive review of Alzheimer’s therapeutics, and a critical assessment of the pharma industry’s premature rush to closure: “It remains hard to give up the illusion that we know how Alzheimer’s works. The relationship between amyloid and Alzheimer’s, which has spurred the launch of thousands of grant applications and VC supplications, is at the very least, far more complicated than has been advertised. Never has the neuro area embraced a mechanism so early and fervently, with so little to show for it.” The September review looks at the expensive mistakes that have been made, and are in the process of being made, in the search for effective Alzheimer’s treatments. The amyloid model has not been completely discredited, but all the human data thus far acquired points to what is at best, an extremely incomplete understanding of its role and the difficulty in safely targeting amyloid. Other potentially useful mechanistic approaches have often languished. The highly popular secretase inhibition strategies have failed, with semagacestat’s recent Phase III results showing a deleterious impact upon patient functioning. A recalibration of what constitutes a comprehensive AD pipeline is required, which opens the door for therapeutics utilizing other mechanisms, such as those addressing tau, metal-binding, and neurotrophin-enhancement. The goal of AD treatment may also warrant a reset, as sustaining function farther into the lifespan may be as useful, and more safely viable, than is the elusive goal of disease-modification. ..Over 180 therapeutics programs from 110 companies are included in this review. They range from the failed or failing leviathan programs, like JNJ/Pfizer/Elan’s bapineuzumab, Lilly’s semagacestat, and Pfizer/Medivation’s Dimebon; to those with early clinical data, such as Allon Therapeutics(CA:NPC 0.39, +0.02, +5.41%), Targacept (TRGT 21.14, -0.13, -0.61%), Ceregene, EnVivo Pharmaceuticals, and Prana’s PBT-2; to still under-the-radar programs from such companies as Axerion, Cortex Pharmaceuticals (NYSE Amex: COR), AgeneBio, NsGene, and Synosia Therapeutics. The September issue also considers the nascent area of Alzheimer’s biomarkers, and their lack of readiness for clinical ‘prime time;’ the dim prospects for redundant therapeutics from Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Somaxon, and Jazz Pharmaceuticals; and the controversial expansion of CNS drug development partnering by Cypress Biosciences (CYPB 3.36, -0.03, -0.88%). A review of the Danish neurotrophic specialist firm, NsGene, is also included. NeuroInvestment is the independent, monthly review of the neurotherapeutics area. Its reputation has been built upon fourteen years of objective, insightful, and critical coverage of the neurotherapeutics field. A one-year corporate subscription is 1,636.28€ email or hardcopy

Original Source of Richard Taylor Comment: When will this madness stop?