Memory Disorder Treatments Reviewed by NeuroInvestment

NeuroInvestment has released its November
issue, which reviews the range of therapies-under-development for early
memory disorders, specifically Mild Cognitive Impairment, MCI. While there
is some controversy as to whether MCI is always -- or even usually -- the
precursor to Alzheimer's, the most devastating age-related disorder, as
many as fifteen to twenty million individuals in the US alone experience
distressing diminution in their memory capacities as they proceed into, and
through, middle age. For a 'Boomer' generation unaccustomed to going
gracefully into old age, this is yet another area of function which they
seek to maintain, in addition to sexual vigor, skin condition, and muscle
tone. To the degree to which ameliorating the loss of memory capacity might
slow the rate at which a large segment of the population is moving towards
dementia, that would have a tremendous impact upon medical care projections
that, left unaltered, would augur for economic and social disaster over the
next fifty years. Simply slowing the process down, or maximizing
compensatory capacities, would permit many to escape the more severe form
of Alzheimer's and its attendant needs, they would no longer outlive their
cognitive wherewithal. One estimate is that a five-year extension of
functional life would mean a 50% decrease in the prevalence of Alzheimer's.

There are many questions still to be answered. First, while animal
experiments show that there are numerous ways to enhance cognition, it
remains to be seen whether this can be done long-term, and safely, in
humans. Secondly, if one can, the ethical question of whether society
'should' do so is raised -- as indicated by popular press references to
'steroids for memory.' The FDA appears to have backtracked on what had
appeared to be acceptance of MCI as a valid therapeutic target, one that
did not have to play second fiddle to Alzheimer's. This, along with
molecular disappointments, such as experienced by Memory/Roche and Sention,
has set back the timetable for the potential commercialization of memory
therapeutics.

Among the numerous development programs covered in the review are those
from Abbott, Acadia, Corcept, Cortex (AMEX: COR), Helicon Therapeutics,
Memory Pharmaceuticals, Saegis Pharmaceuticals, and Targacept. The December
issue of NeuroInvestment will conclude this two part series on memory, with
our biannual review of Alzheimer's and its future treatments.

One-year corporate subscription is $1250, email or hardcopy. Add $150 for
dual delivery, add $40 for airmail delivery outside North America. A
three-month trial subscription is US$350. Individual investor subscriptions
are $450 for one year, $150 for a three-month trial.

NI Research is the leading publisher of independent research on the
neuropharmaceutical industry. NI Research has published NeuroInvestment
since 1995, and provides inlicensing consultation and custom research for
large and small pharmaceutical firms. This experience has provided NI
Research with an unmatched information base regarding both publicly and
privately held neuro-oriented companies.





Contact:
NI Research
P.O. Box 1028
Cardiff, CA 92007
Phone: 603-379-8800
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