New drug to reverse memory loss from Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease

Neuren Pharmaceuticals today announced exciting preclinical results of its drug, NNZ -2591, which has shown an improvement in learning and memory after oral dosing. The results suggest that NNZ-2591 has the capacity to improve learning and memory processes after short-term treatment.

The new data extends the potential application of NNZ-2591 as a treatment for dementias such as those associated with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

Improvements were observed as early as two days after initial treatment and were observed throughout the four day study. NNZ-2591 was administered as an oral dose to the animals in each test, further supporting the development of this drug as an oral treatment for chronic disorders.

Previous studies have shown that NNZ-2591 is effective at improving the motor skills impairment seen in an experimental model of Parkinson's disease and also showed that the drug produced a long-term benefit in this model of the disease, rather than just temporary symptomatic relief.

Neuren intends to accelerate development of NNZ-2591 as a clinical candidate for treatment of Parkinson's disease dementia. Further studies will assess the breadth of effect of NNZ-2591 on learning and memory processes to fully evaluate its potential for the treatment of other dementias, including Alzheimer's disease.

About Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases

In Australia there are approximately 40,000 people with Parkinson's, with one in seven people with Parkinson's being diagnosed before the age of 50 years. Parkinson's disease is a progressive, degenerative neurological condition that affects the control of body movements. Over 50% of Parkinson's patients go on to develop some form of dementia. It is estimated that approximately 1-2 people per 1,000 have Parkinson's, with the incidence increasing to one in 100 over the age of 60.

Parkinson's disease dementia is characterised by cognitive slowing, attentional deficits, and executive, visuospatial, and memory impairments. Dementia associated with Parkinson's disease is accompanied by a reduced quality of life for both patients and caregivers and by rapid functional and motor decline.

Overall the most common form of dementia among older people is Alzheimer's disease (AD), which involves the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language.

The disease usually begins after age 60, and the risk of developing AD goes up with age. While younger people may also get AD, it is much less common. About 5 percent of men and women aged 65 to 74 have AD, and nearly half of those aged 85 and older may have the disease. It is important to note, however, that AD is not a normal part of aging.

There are presently 4-5 million AD patients in the US alone with an estimated 15 million worldwide. The market for AD therapy is expected to exceed US$3 billion by 2009.

Statistics
* More than 162,000 Australians have a diagnosis of dementia, with perhaps as many again in the early stages of dementia
* Australians over the age of 65 have a one in 15 chance of developing AD
* Among people aged 80 to 84 the rate is one in nine
* Among those aged over 85 it is one in four
* The disease affects mostly people in their 70s and 80s, but can appear in people who are in their 40s or younger