Alzheimer's Drug Targeting Soluble Amyloid Falls Short in a Large Clinical Trial

A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found solanezumab, a monoclonal antibody-based treatment for Alzheimer's disease developed by Eli Lilly that targets amyloid plaques, failed to significantly retard cognitive decline, reports ScienceDaily . A total of 2,129 individuals with mild dementia from Alzheimer's disease participated in the trial. Solanezumab was designed to reduce the level of soluble amyloid molecules before they build up. Although the treatment did have some positive effects, in the main measure of outcome, measured via the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale test, did not show any statistically significant benefit in comparison with placebo. "Although we are disappointed that this particular drug did not prove successful, the field is benefiting from each study," says lead study author and Columbia University Irving Medical Center Professor Lawrence Honig. "There is hope that one of the newer ongoing studies may result in an effective treatment for slowing the course of Alzheimer's disease."