ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by neuronal loss and brain lesions. The disease is also characterized by profound impairment of memory. The scale of the problem is increasing as the elderly segment of the population continues to grow. There are 4 million people with Alzheimer's disease in the U.S. today (Ref: Alzheimer's Association). To date only two compounds have been approved for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease in the U.S. These are the cholinesterase inhibitors Cognex^® (tacrine) and Aricept^® (donepexil), both of which prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical important in memory. Neither compound or indeed the other agents that target specific neurotransmitter systems offer a long-term solution to Alzheimer's disease and will be displaced, as more effective treatments become available.