MUST READS

A July 15, 2020 CISION PR Newswire release highlighted new research on the drug rotigotine from the ADDF (Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation). Rotigotine acts on dopamine transmission and was found to improve cognitive function in people with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease, improving their ability to perform the activities of daily living. However, it did not show significant effects on memory function. "Rotigotine improved executive function, which helps patients with key cognitive tasks, such as reasoning, judgment, working memory, and orientation. It also improved their ability to complete routine daily activities like shopping, planning, and even bathing, toileting and feeding themselves, which means preserving their independence longer and reducing the burden on caregivers,” said the ADDF’s Howard Fillit, M.D.

A July 14, 2020 Being Patient article looked at the link between the coronavirus and elevated numbers of deaths attributed to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. This year, the related fatality rate is almost 20% higher than in recent years. People with dementia are disproportionately affected by COVID-19, with more than 40% of U.S. deaths in nursing homes. According to the article, “Indeed, some of these deaths are the direct result of a COVID-19 infection, but without a positive test, the death certificate may just list the neurodegenerative disease with which the patient had long been diagnosed. On the other hand, some deaths are not directly caused by a COVID-19 infection, but still the result of the perfect storm of dementia and the circumstances of a pandemic.”

CLINICAL TRIAL SPOTLIGHT

A July 14, 2020 Pharma Phorum article spotlighted the AHEAD 3-45 trial, testing the drug BAN2401 to try and prevent cognitive decline and suppress the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. The trial is recruiting high-risk, cognitively unimpaired people with some accumulation of amyloid in their brain. According to the article, “After a common screening period in AHEAD 3-45, participants will be enrolled into one of two randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials based on the level of amyloid in the brain: the A45 trial and the A3 trial. A total of 1400 participants will be enrolled in the study and treated with BAN2401 for 216 weeks.” Also covered by CISION PR Newswire.