Explained:How China proposes to treat Alzheimer’s with new drug

ForumIAS announcing GS Foundation Program for UPSC CSE 2025-26 from 10th August. Click Here for more information.

News:Recently,China has approved the world’s first multi-targeting and carbohydrate-based drug GV-971 for Alzheimer’s disease.

Facts:

About Drug GV-971:

  • The drug has been extracted from brown algae and can treat mild to moderate forms of Alzheimer’s disease and improve cognition.
  • It is the world’s first multi targeting drug.The drug can be taken orally by the patients.
  • Multi-target drugs hit several targets in the body which is often necessary to do in order to yield a therapeutic effect in complex diseases like Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s. 
  • This is different from most drugs which target only a single biological substance, like a protein or enzyme.

Additional information:

About Alzheimer’s disease:

  • Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that typically affects people older than 65. 
  • The disease destroys brain cells and nerves and disrupts the message carrying neurotransmitters.
  • There is no treatment that cures Alzheimer’s disease or alters the disease process in the brain.Most drugs being developed try to slow down or stop the progression of the disease.
Print Friendly and PDF
Blog
Academy
Community