Alzheimer's Disease

Myriad's lead candidate, FLURIZAN™, is currently in two Phase 3 clinical trials in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's Disease: A Century-long Challenge

In 1906, the German psychiatrist, Dr. Alois Alzheimer, reported abnormalities in the brain of a patient, Frau Auguste D,” who died with severe dementia (Figure 1).[1] Over the last 100 years, great strides have been made toward understanding the disease that bears his name.

Figure 1. Dr Alois Alzheimer and his patient Frau "Auguste D." Courtesy of Professor Konrad Maurer.[4]

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is part of a group of disorders, known as dementias, that are characterized by cognitive decline and behavioral problems. AD accounts for most of the dementia cases diagnosed after age 65.[2]

Concerted efforts by scientists around the world have led to a more in-depth understanding of the biological basis of AD. These findings have paved the way for new interventions that target the pathophysiology of the disease, in the hope of slowing its progression or preventing it altogether.[3]

Despite these remarkable inroads, the final outcome for persons with AD has not changed significantly over the last 100 years. The prognosis for now is the same: AD remains a progressive, destructive, and fatal disorder with no known cure. Current treatments may offer temporary relief of symptoms.[5] However, in the absence of agents that can significantly modify the course of the disease, AD remains an area of exceptional clinical need.

Today, there is intense focus on developing new strategies for risk assessment along with better techniques for earlier detection of AD. In addition, major research is underway to develop disease modifying drugs that, when used early in the disease process, hold the potential to delay or halt AD—a disease that is destined to reach epidemic proportions in the near future.