An experimental drug, diranersen, has shown promising results in slowing early Alzheimer’s disease by targeting the brain protein tau. The study, presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in London, found that the drug not only lowered tau levels but also slowed cognitive decline in a small subset of participants.

How the Drug Works

Diranersen is an antisense oligonucleotide that instructs a tau-producing gene to produce less, enabling the normal clearance mechanism to have more capacity to clear the tau. This approach is different from current treatments, which focus on clearing buildup of the amyloid protein.

The study included people with mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer’s, randomly assigning them to different doses of diranersen or a placebo. While the study didn’t meet its planned goal, the results were still encouraging, with five of six brain tests showing that diranersen recipients’ memory and other cognitive abilities worsened more slowly than those given dummy shots.

Next Steps

Biogen, the company behind the drug, is planning a larger study to try to prove the drug’s benefit. Other studies are also exploring new ways to fight Alzheimer’s, including a possible tau vaccine and an experimental heart drug that might lower buildup of Alzheimer’s-related proteins.

Original reporting: WPBF West Palm Beach — read the source article.