MUST READS

A January 8, 2018 Bloomberg article reported that Pfizer is closing its neuroscience-discovery research and development program, including research into Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. The closure will result in 300 job losses. The company will start a venture fund committed to neuroscience.

According to a January 5, 2018 Science article, scientists at the University of Cambridge now have evidence that tau protein, a major hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease, spreads from neuron to neuron “infectionlike” causing neurodegeneration. Utilizing functional magnetic resonance imaging and PET scans, they found the spreading (“transneuronal spread” hypothesis) analogous to influenza during an epidemic between brain regions that are heavily wired.  

A January 5, 2018 St. Louis Public Radio article looked at a Washington University study about the link between lack of sleep and increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers found that participants who slept very little produced more amyloid beta protein, as much as a 30 percent increase. Their levels were comparable to people genetically predisposed to Alzheimer's at a relatively young age.

INDUSTRY UPDATE

A January 8, 2018 Globe Newswire article reported that Axovant Sciences’ two studies on the investigational drug intepirdine will be discontinued. The Phase 2 HEADWAY study on patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DBL), and the Gait and Balance Study on people with Alzheimer’s disease, DLB or Parkinson’s disease dementia both failed to meet primary efficacy endpoints.

A January 5, 2018 Fierce Biotech article highlighted a new Alzheimer’s gene therapy research pact between Johnson & Johnson and the University of Pennsylvania. Currently, the blood-brain barrier limits the use of antibodies to treat brain diseases. However, this pact brings together anti-Alzheimer’s antibodies with adeno-associated viruses viral delivery to target the key pathological features of AD and deliver biologics into the brain.

REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

A January 6, 2018 Providence Journal article and video segment spotlighted the work of Dr. Stephen P. Salloway of Butler Hospital, who is recruiting participants for the “Generation Study” with 'swabbing parties.' This prevention study at Butler’s Memory and Aging Program is for people age 60 to 75, cognitively normal but who may be at risk for Alzheimer’s disease, depending on their genetic makeup. According to Salloway, “Not only can you find out your genetic risk by having the APOE test, but then if you’re the right age group and meet the criteria and you’re interested, you could also participate in a prevention trial to try to lower the risk. We’re very excited about that.”