Investigational Drug for Alzheimers – Could it help Mitochondrial Disease?

Pfizer recently announced that Dimebon (latrepirdine) is in Phase 3 trials and doing well. The drug is targeted to treat Alzheimer’s disease, but it may be one that we need to look at for treatment of mitochondrial disease as well.

Dimebon, according to Pfizer, is thought to potentially stabilize or improve mitochondrial function in a way that prevents neurons from damage and dysfunction. This is a distinct and new approach to Alzheimers from other medications on the market, and highlights the relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and Alzheimers’ disease.

Clearly, this is one drug we need to keep our eyes on. Pfizer may be approaching it from the Alzheimers bent as, once again, Alzheimers is a “hot” and “sexy” topic and there is a large economic market for drugs. Regardless, we need to continue to push the marketplace, researchers, pharmeceutical companies, and especially the government to fund more research for mitochondrial disease, as mitochondrial dysfunction is a clear player in so many other devastating diseases.