Medical Breakthrough '08: Promising Drugs for Treating Alzheimer's

The new medications are hopeful memory keepers in the fight against Alzheimer's.

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Some 1,200 Americans develop Alzheimer’s every day. Dozens of drugs to fight the devastating effects are in clinical trials. Two look especially promising:
PRX-03140
Designed to treat memory loss and other symptoms, this drug from EPIX Pharmaceuticals changed the brain wave activity in trial patients. In just two weeks, they scored better on memory tests and were more engaged. One was even able to speak in full sentences again.
Available: 5 years

Flurizan
This one, now finishing clinical trials, may attack the underlying causes of the disease. From Myriad Genetics, it reduces proteins that form plaque buildup between brain cells, possibly slowing or even stopping further damage.
Available: 1 year

Researchers expect future treatments to be a combination of drugs that attack the disease at different stages, much like the current approach to fighting AIDS and cancer.

From Reader's Digest - March 2008

 

• Medical Breakthroughs for 2008
• New hope for cancer, diabetes, dementia and more.
• 
• Brain Biology: Memory Genes
• A wave of recent advances shows how the mind affects health in ways we never imagined.
• 
• 7 Ways to Make Your Brain Better, Faster, Smarter
• 7 ways to make your brain better, faster, and smarter.
• 
• Woman Cares for Dad With Alzheimer's
• A reporter takes on her toughest assignment: caring for Dad.
• 

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A man decides to join the circus. He shows up to demonstrate his skills to the impresario.  

"I have the most unusual act," he announces. "I'm sure it will amaze you."  

He proceeds to climb a tall tower, and jumps off. He flaps his arms wildly, and finally his fall slows. He soars forward, then swoops upward, turns and swoops back again. Finally he stops in mid air and gently lowers himself to the ground.  

The impresario stares blankly at him for a long time. Finally he says, "Is that all you've got? Bird imitations?"  

-- Greg Cox