New compound could be a promising treatment for Alzheimer's disease

Washington, July 13 (ANI): A compound called NIC5-15 has been found to be a safe and effective treatment to stabilize cognitive performance in Alzheimer's disease patients, according to a study.

The two researchers in the study, Dr. Giulio Maria Pasinetti, and Dr. Hillel Grossman, have presented the Phase IIA preliminary clinical findings, and have said that NIC5-15's potential to preserve cognitive performance will be further evaluated in a Phase IIB clinical trial.

Early evidence has suggested that NIC5-15 is a safe and tolerable natural compound that may reduce the progression of Alzheimer's disease-related dementia by preventing the formation of beta-amyloid plaque.

Beta-amyloid plaque is a waxy substance that accumulates between brain cells and impacts cognitive function.

"With Alzheimer's disease affecting 5.2 million Americans, another 5 million with early-state disease, and nearly a half million new cases reported annually, treatments like NIC5-15 would make a significant difference in the lives of many Alzheimer's patients. We are hopeful that the follow up clinical study will support this preliminary evidence," said Pasinetti.

Grossman said: "There are no FDA-approved Alzheimer's disease modifying drugs available today."

He added: "Current drugs approved for use help maintain cognitive function, but only for a limited time. NIC5-15 is part of a new class of natural compound we found to have the potential of precluding the generation of _-amyloid and, eventually, attenuating cognitive deterioration in preclinical models of Alzheimer's disease."

The Phase IIA preliminary clinical findings of the study were presented at the Alzheimer's Association 2009 International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease (ICAD) in Vienna. (ANI)