Alzheimer's: NICE says drugs work but are too expensive
New Alzheimer's drugs could be on the horizon after researchers found out more clues about the disease.
The findings of a research published in the Journal of Cell Biology showed there was evidence of a missing link between the insoluble proteins beta-amyloid and tau before they form plaques and tangles in the brain causing Alzheimer's disease.
Professor George Bloom, lead researcher of the study, said: "We think we've found one of the seminal cell biological events in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's and if we can figure out all of the steps in the process and understand each player at every step, it will represent many potential new drug targets for Alzheimer's therapy."
The news broke at the same time as it emerged that the Alzheimer's Society has launched an appeal to help fund the UK's first High Court challenge of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). It is aiming to fight the decision made by NICE to deny treatments to people in the early and late stages of Alzheimer's disease.
NICE acknowledged that drugs worked for these people but they were too expensive at £2.50 per person, per day.
Commenting on the possibility of yet more drugs that would disrupt proteins causing Alzheimer's disease, Gayle Wing, head of communications of the Alzheimer's Society, said: "It is crucial further research into this area continues." However, she could not be drawn on whether the society believed the possibility of new drug developments was worth it following the battle with NICE over existing drugs.
n See COVER's interview with NICE chairman Professor Michael Rawlins on page 14-15.
