Jeffrey L. Cummings, MD, ScD

“Each trial, although a negative outcome has occurred, has taught us something about how to do better trials and we still believe that the amyloid target is worthy, that we

think there should be an increase in the repertoire of targets that we're testing,

and many different kinds of mechanisms should be tested to find optimal treatments for Alzheimer disease.”

At the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jeffrey L. Cummings, MD, ScD, the director emeritus of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and vice chair of the department of brain health at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, spoke with 

in an interview to discuss therapies currently being investigated for the treatment of Alzheimer disease.

Cummings explains that while there has been much disappointment with anti-amyloid therapy each trial, although a negative outcome, taught the scientific community how to conduct better trials. While there is still promise that the amyloid target is still worthy of investigation, there should be an increase in the repertoire of targets tested in order to find optimal treatments.

Additionally, Cummings spoke of several agents in the pipeline that he is watching closely, noting that the community should be optimistic that a therapy will be found for patients suffering with Alzheimer disease.

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The director emeritus of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and vice chair of the department of brain health at the University of Nevada Las Vegas spoke about therapies under investigation for the treatment of Alzheimer disease. 

Jeffrey L. Cummings, MD, ScD: Optimal Therapeutic Targets for Addressing Alzheimer Disease

"Treatment of agitation is one of the very active areas in Alzheimer disease research now; this is an urgent unmet need that affects the quality of life of patients and the quality of life of caregivers."

At the 2019 American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jeffrey Cummings, MD, ScD, director emeritus of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and vice chair for the department of brain health at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, spoke with 

in an interview to discuss several hot topics in Alzheimer disease.

One specific topic discussed was the neuropsychiatric symptoms of Alzheimer disease, which are now recognized as hallmarks of dementia and are important targets for the development of effective treatments.

Cummings explained that this field has really opened up in terms of looking at new mechanisms and new ways of treating these symptoms. Physicians are looking for more patient-centric drug development mechanisms to ensure that patient interests are being put first.

 AVP-786 is a unique molecule that combines deudextromethorphan hydrobromide (d6-DM) and quinidine sulfate (Q), a CYP2D6 inhibitor. AVP-786 is currently the focus of a phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled, 12-week study, with patients randomized to receive either placebo twice daily, dose 1 of AVP-786 twice daily, or dose 2 of AVP-786 twice daily. 

The director emeritus of the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and vice chair of the department of brain health at the University of Nevada Las Vegas spoke about therapies under investigation for the treatment of agitation and psychosis in Alzheimer disease. 

Author | Jeffrey L. Cummings, MD, ScD

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Jeffrey L. Cummings, MD, ScD: Optimal Therapeutic Targets for Addressing Alzheimer Disease

Jeffrey L. Cummings, MD, ScD: Addressing Agitation, Psychosis in Alzheimer Disease