NAPSR Investigates: New study finds Diabetes Drugs could Treat Alzheimer’s Disease

WASHINGTON - Nov. 4, 2014 - PRLog -- According to a new study published in the journal Neuropharmacology conducted by research academics at Lancaster University, certain type 2 diabetes drugs on the market have produced neuroprotective effects in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. These are Sanofi-Aventis' Lyxumia (lixisenatide) and Novo Nordisk’s Victoza (liraglutide).

Professor Christian Holscher from Lancaster University who is leading the study stated, "These are very exciting results. There are no drugs on the market for Alzheimer's disease that actually treat the disease, all we currently have are two types of drugs that mask the symptoms for a while. Lixisenatide and liraglutide offer a real improvement by treating the basis of the disease and, therefore, preventing degeneration."

Insulin impairment has been linked to cerebral degeneration in type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. Insulin desensitization found in Alzheimer's disease brain may be factor in the progress of neurodegenerative disorders as insulin is a growth factor with neuroprotective properties. The deletion of the GLP-1 (a growth factor) will impede brain function which includes learning and signal transmission in the brain. Lixisenatide and liraglutide are GLP-1 receptor agonists and have the potential to facilitate brain repair thus generating beneficial effects in patients with Alzheimer's.

The study was conducted using aged transgenic mice that expressed human genes that cause Alzheimer’s.  An increase in synaptic numbers was observed post chronic treatment with GLP-1 receptor agonists (lixisenatide or liraglutide). Synapse numbers were normalized and synapses continued to function which confirmed that neurons could still communicate information.  Synapses are crucial for neuron communication and in Alzheimer’s disease there is extensive synapse loss. Additional lab data also indicated normalized memory formation and a reduction of amyloid plaques in the brain.

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The National Association of Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives® (NAPSRx®) is the United States largest trade association for sales reps, sales managers and sales trainers who work in the pharmaceutical industry. NAPSRx® represents sales representatives who work in the pharmaceutical industry and provides Continuing Medical Education to its members as well as candidates who look to enter a pharmaceutical sales career. The NAPSRx® (National Association of Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives®) is widely known for its CNPR® Certification Training Program which provides vocational education for individuals looking to enter a pharmaceutical sales career. The CNPR® Certification provides necessary job prerequisites, such as: product/industry knowledge; selling guidelines and regulations; medical terminology; pharmaceutical selling techniques; drug sampling; physician detailing; introduction to pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics.

Individuals that are interested in becoming a Certified National Pharmaceutical Representative (CNPR) can contact the National Association of Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives(NAPSRx) for more information or visit the website at http://napsronline.org/