Antibody-Based Medicines Versus Conventional Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease
摘要
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a degenerative brain disorder that progressively deteriorates neurons, resulting in significant cognitive decline and hindrance in daily functioning. As the leading cause of dementia, AD currently affects around 50 million people worldwide, with projections suggesting this number could rise three times more by 2050. This anticipated increase highlights the critical need for advanced research, improved healthcare infrastructures, and effective public health strategies. Present treatments include Rivastigmine, Galantamine, Memantine, and Donepezil, which primarily alleviate symptoms without curing AD. Recent studies have been directed toward disease-modifying treatments that address the intrinsic causes of AD, particularly focusing on the amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau hypotheses. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) such as Aducanumab, Lecanemab, and Donanemab, which target Aβ plaques, have been approved but have not shown definitive cognitive improvement. Current research continues to investigate additional antibodies and novel therapeutic targets to prevent or better manage the progression of AD, improving patients’ quality of life. This chapter discusses the traditional treatments and the recently approved antibodies, current antibody-based therapies undergoing clinical trials, and the challenges and future directions in AD research.