Interfering in the Mechanisms of Alzheimer's
The modern form of drug design is to identify a biochemical mechanism and design a compound to safely interfere in its progression. An example of the type can be found at ScienceDaily: "Alzheimer's is linked to the build up of amyloid protein which eventually forms 'senile plaques'. The amyloid protein inflicts damage by interacting with an enzyme called ABAD (Amyloid Beta Alcohol Dehydrogenase) and releasing toxic substances which kill brain cells. ... Alzheimer's sufferers produce too much amyloid and ABAD in their brains. Based on our knowledge of ABAD, we produced an inhibitor that can prevent amyloid attaching to it in a living model. We have shown that it is possible to reverse some of the signs associated with Alzheimer's disease. The work is now being continued to try and refine the inhibitor into a potential drug. Our research holds a possible key for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, particularly in its early stages." Increasing knowledge of our biochemistry opens the field to a wide range of approaches for any particular medical condition: diversity and competition is good.
Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/08/070802100504.htm