HealthDay
by Dennis Thompson

Researchers pulled the plug early on the latest failed clinical trial, after patients' brain power continued to decline even though the amyloid beta blocker verubecestat successfully lowered amyloid levels in their brains and spinal fluid. The disappointing verubecestat results appear in the April 11 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, alongside a research letter announcing similarly negative preliminary findings from the clinical trial of another amyloid blocker called atabecestat. These negative results jibe with those of earlier trials, and present "pretty strong evidence that amyloid-lowering is the wrong target," said Dr. David Knopman. He's a professor of neurology with the Mayo Clinic who wrote an editorial accompanying the new reports.

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Additional coverage: Alzforum

Context: David Knopman, M.D. is a Mayo Clinic neurologist. Dr. Knopman is involved in research in late-life cognitive disorders, such as mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Dr. Knopman's specific interests are in the very early stages of Alzheimer's disease, in cognitive impairment due to stroke (cerebrovascular disease) and in cognitive impairment due to frontotemporal degeneration. He is involved in epidemiology, clinical trials and diagnostic studies of these disorders. You can read more about his research here.

Contact: Susan Barber Lindquist

Tags: alzheimer's disease, Dr. David Knopman, drug trials, HealthDay, Uncategorized