Brain and Behavior Discussion Group
The New York Academy of Sciences
eBriefing 
Advances in Alzheimer’s Disease Therapeutics
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Posted February 20, 2020
Presented By
Overview
For decades, Alzheimer's disease (AD) research has focused on amyloid beta (Ab) aggregation as the main driver of disease and a promising target for treatment. However, the recent failure of multiple Phase III clinical trials focused on Ab have highlighted the need for different approaches. Many researchers are now working to uncover alternative mechanisms that contribute to disease, and potential treatments that can target these pathways. Reflecting the complexity of the disease, promising pathways are diverse and include neuroinflammation, tau propagation, and metabolic processes. Since AD is a heterogeneous and progressive disease, researchers are also working to develop biomarkers that can identify patients at the appropriate disease stage for a specific therapeutic. Learn more about recent breakthroughs in understanding Alzheimer's disease in this summary of our November 20th, 2019 symposium, which gathered the world’s leaders in the field.
Symposium Highlights
- Differential rates of clinical AD progression in humans are associated with differences in tau properties, implicating tau as a promising target. >
- The TREM2 receptor is required for microglial activation in mice and humans, which may be therapeutic in early disease stages. >
- Hyperexcitability is a promising therapeutic target: low-dose levetiracetam reduces hippocampal hyperactivity and improves memory task performance in patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment. >
- Circulating High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) improves Ab clearance in a bioengineered human tissue culture model. >
- The gut microbiome influences neuroinflammation and amyloid deposition, but only in male animals. >
Perspectives on the Future of Alzheimer’s Disease Research
Emerging Mechanistic Insights for Alzheimer’s Disease