Dimedon (latrepirdine) for Alzheimer’s could be a breakthrough drug: Study

Dimebon shown to protect brain cells from damage and enhance brain survival

Dimebon (latrepirdine), an investigational drug currently in Phase 3 development could help halt the onset of advanced Alzheimer’s and dramatically improve the quality of life for patients.

Updated: Alzheimer’s drug Dimedon from Pfizer and Medication fails in crucial clinical study

Dimebon (latrepirdine) is also being clinically evaluated for Huntington disease (HD).

Dimebon has a unique mechanism of action, distinct from currently available treatments. In preclinical studies, dimebon has been shown to protect brain cells from damage and enhance brain survival, potentially stabilising and improving mitochondrial function.

Mitochondria are critical to brain cell functioning as they are the primary source of energy for cells. Drugs that protect mitochondria or restore their function could potentially be a valuable treatment approach in AD.

Clinical trials using Dimebon (latrepirdine) for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease  has been launched in the UK.

Glasgow Memory Clinic is now enrolling patients in the CONCERT trial, a one-year international study set up to test the effectiveness, dimebon (latrepirdine), in patients currently taking Aricept (donepezil HCI tablets), the leading medication for Alzheimer’s disease worldwide.

More than 1,000 patients from across western Europe, the United States, Australia and New Zealand will take part in the CONCERT trial and it is hoped that the combined medication will help stabilise the condition of those with Alzheimer’s by safely improving cognition (thinking and awareness), memory, daily functioning, behaviour and the ability to care for oneself.

Concert is an international, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that will enrol approximately 1,050 patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease at approximately 100 sites in western Europe, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. Patients on a stable dose of Aricept will be randomised to one of three treatment groups: dimebon 20 mg three times per day, dimebon 5 mg three times or placebo.

The primary endpoints are the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale – cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog) and Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study – Activities of Daily Living (ADCS – ADL), a measure of self-care and daily function. The Concert study is sponsored by Pfizer and Medivation, Inc.

Glasgow Memory Clinic has already enrolled a number of patients onto the dimebon (latrepirdine) trial.

“Alzheimer’s is a complex disease and while current medications may improve the symptoms for some patients for a time, often the disease continues to progress. Therefore, combination therapy may be the method to maximise clinical benefit,” stated Dr Fraser Inglis, Consultant Physician and founder of the Glasgow Memory Clinic.

CONCERT is an important study because dimebon is thought to work differently to current medications and this study will evaluate whether adding it to one of the most commonly used Alzheimer’s medications will provide a more effective symptomatic treatment to patients, stabilising their condition and ultimately improving their quality of life.

Nearly 417,000 people in the UK are living with  Alzheimer’s, according to the Alzheimer’s Society estimates.

Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease that hinders the patient’s ability to remember, learn, perform daily activities and relate to others. As the baby boomer population ages, the incidence of Alzheimer’s is expected to increase dramatically.

The Glasgow Memory Clinic is based in a new £4m facility within the West of Scotland Science Park and is internationally recognised as a leading independent research organisation dedicated to finding better treatments for those with Memory Impairment, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Patients or caregivers interested in participating in the CONCERT trial are invited to contact the Glasgow Memory Clinic for information on eligibility and enrolment on 0141 948 0206 or http://www.glasgowmemoryclinic.com/.