The potential problem here is that the mouse model is based on the Amyloid theory of the disease, which this year was largely determined to be wrong after a series of major frauds were found in the research implicating Amyloid. This drug might still work since it seems to act on other aspects of the condition in the bloodwork but there is every chance this doesn't work in practice.
this post was submitted on 25 Dec 2025
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That's just *56. Amyloid has been known for decades to play some role, even though *56's data was fraudulent (for a lay-friendly discussion, see https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/what-we-do/researchers/news/explaining-amyloid-research-study-controversy). Amyloid is certainly not the only thing at play, but it does play some role.
Do we know it plays a role? I thought we basically just knew it was an associated biomarker. I kinda thought the research was leaning towards the underlying problem being some kind of issue that kept glial cells from clearing debris effectively, and that the amyloid plaques were mostly another consequence of that same cause, rather than a key mechanism in the chain that led to the dementia.
Yes, it plays a role. What exactly it's doing is unclear, and it's probably more that it's setting up tau to do the real nasty stuff, but it contributes. We know that from experimental work in nonhuman animal models and converging longitudinal work in humans. See, for example: https://www.cell.com/neuron/pdfExtended/S0896-6273(22)00305-1
Huh, I was misinformed about that. Thanks!
Lab rat quality of life has never been higher
Mrs Brisbee is pleased.
All animals tested on still get gassed after even if they're healthy
I thought they got decapitated with a guillotine?
That’s only for the extremely wealthy lab rats.
This fantastic news! So many future families will not have to endure such horrible fates.
Of course I can only hope this is for real. That said, I’m surprised of any lack of mention of AI. I thought AI would solve all the problems.
(AI)zheimers
Edit: This is when you have a good idea, so you go to chatgpt just to get the thought down and some initial feedback, knowing that you'll come back later to explore it more, but you never do, but also because you think you "documented" it, your brain forgots about it, and the entire thought is lost forever.
Is this your idea?
I should print it, frame it, and give it as a gift to someone...
It is, unfortunately. I've noticed myself doing it. Feel free to take it!
They only told you it would in order to get funding. Of course they have very little to show for it.
There is no mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. There is a model of the amyloid hypothesis.