3 ms·
There's huge interest in fighting Alzheimers and other neurodegeratives among the pharmas. Alas, there's been nearly zero success on that front after more than
by randcraw 7y ago
There's huge interest in fighting Alzheimers and other neurodegeratives among the pharmas. Alas, there's been nearly zero success on that front after more than 20 years of effort. Until more cutting edge research can suggest more promising approaches, it's unlikely that Big Co R&D spending will climb. For now, it's going to be up up to governments to fund the big risk takers — academic labs and their offspring startups.
- btilly 7y agoUntil more cutting edge research can suggest more promising approaches, it's unlikely that Big Co R&D spending will climb. Alzheimer's is a bad example. There is in fact evidence of success with treatments that treat underlying brain infection rather than preventing amyloid beta plaques from forming. 20 years of barking up the wrong tree may be at an end soon.
- tremon 7y agoMore specifically, Herpes Simplex. I don't remember where I read it, but I recall a paper arguing for Herpes being one of the viruses considered for causing (some cases of) Alzheimer's. It's even considered that amyloid beta may be a natural response of the body to the infection, not the cause: https://www.alzheimers.net/alzheimers-and-herpes/ https://www.alzheimers.net/alzheimers-and-herpes/
- dodobirdlord 7y agoAs far as I know there's no letup in searching for treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. Spending remains high because the payoff will be huge.
- satanspastaroll 7y agoThis makes it sound like it's all been in vain. Negative results are just as much if not more progress than the end of resolving the cure