Hyper-Focus on Amyloid Hypothesis for Alzheimer's May Have Slowed Progress

The article discusses the hyper-focus on the amyloid hypothesis in Alzheimer's research and its potential impact on slowing progress towards finding a cure. Dr. Madhav Thambisetty suggests repurposing the arthritis drug hydroxychloroquine for Alzheimer's treatment due to its anti-inflammatory properties. However, unconventional ideas like this often struggle to secure funding and attention compared to the dominant amyloid hypothesis. The article highlights concerns about the limited efficacy and potential side effects of recently approved drugs targeting amyloid removal in Alzheimer's patients. It also mentions instances of research fraud and the need for exploring alternative approaches in Alzheimer's research, such as investigating the link between infections like herpesvirus and the disease. The piece emphasizes the importance of addressing various risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, and lifestyle choices in preventing or delaying the onset of Alzheimer's. Overall, the article calls for a shift in the Alzheimer's research field away from a singular focus on amyloid towards exploring diverse treatment avenues to accelerate progress towards finding a cure.