Beta secretase inhibitors to treat Alzheimer's disease
Thursday, April 2, 2015 - 10:00
in Health & Medicine
With each new amyloid-targeting treatment for Alzheimer’s disease that has been developed, there has been a corresponding concern. For example, antibodies targeting amyloid-? peptide (A?) produce inflammation in the brain in some patients. Gamma secretase inhibitors tend to produce adverse effects by interacting with Notch, an important pathway for cellular signaling. Beta secretase 1 (BACE1) inhibitors are a new and promising target for Alzheimer’s disease. Inhibiting BACE1 will limit the production of A? which, in turn, should reduce the production of neurotoxic fibrils and plaques, scientists say.