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CONTACTS:
Applied NeuroSolutions
Ellen Hoffing, President, CEO, 847-573-8000
or
Investor Relations
Ryan Rauch, 847-573-8000
Applied NeuroSolutions' Test is the Strongest Predictor of the Decline from Mild Cognitive Impairment to Alzheimer's Disease
Vernon Hills, IL October 15, 2007 – Applied NeuroSolutions, Inc. (OTC BB:APNS, www.appliedneurosolutions.com), a Company focused on the development of an integrated product portfolio for the treatment and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), today reported that a peer-reviewed paper, "Prediction and longitudinal study of CSF biomarkers in mild cognitive impairment,” will be published in an upcoming print edition of Neurobiology of Aging and is currently available to subscribers on the publication’s web site. The paper describes a longitudinal evaluation in the transition from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to AD using five different cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) markers. The APNS P-Tau 231 biomarker was the strongest predictor of the decline from MCI to AD.
Mild cognitive impairment is a risk state for the development of dementia of the Alzheimer’s type. Research literature indicates that up to 40% of individuals with MCI may go on to develop AD in three years. The MCI population is substantially greater than the current AD population and is growing rapidly.
As currently recommended by the consensus report of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) working group on Biological Markers, an ideal diagnostic biomarker should have both sensitivity and specificity of at least 80% in separating AD from normal aging. In this longitudinal study, eighty-six subjects were followed for two years, including twenty-two MCI patients that subsequently declined to AD. The APNS P-Tau 231 biomarker was the only biomarker that exceeded the recommended 80% threshold of sensitivity and specificity, with the highest specificity among all biomarkers analyzed in the study in predicting decline from MCI to AD.
Dr. Mony de Leon, Professor of Psychiatry and Director Center for Brain Health at NYU School of Medicine and an author on the paper commented that “This study was the first to compare five of the best known CSF biomarkers for AD. P-Tau 231 was the superior predictor of the decline to Alzheimer’s disease among a group of mild cognitive impaired patients. This study illustrates the predictive power of the AD specific biomarker P-Tau 231.”
“We are pleased that this study provides further evidence that our CSF-based test has strong applicability to aid in the diagnosis of AD among people currently experiencing the early and milder impact of MCI,” said Ellen R. Hoffing, Applied NeuroSolutions President and CEO. “As a neurodegenerative disease, an earlier diagnosis of AD can provide the best opportunity to take full advantage of all available care options.” Ms. Hoffing further remarked, “In addition to the progress we have made on our CSF-based test to address the MCI population, we are also developing serum-based tests to diagnose AD in its early stages.”
About Applied NeuroSolutions: Applied NeuroSolutions, Inc. (OTC BB:APNS - News) is developing diagnostics to detect Alzheimer's disease (AD) based on discoveries originating from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and, in collaboration with Eli Lilly and Company, is seeking novel therapeutic compounds to treat the progression of the disease. Applied NeuroSolutions has discovered biomarkers that the company believes will aid in the development of effective AD treatments. Applied NeuroSolutions is focused on both a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diagnostic test and blood tests to detect AD at a very early stage. The CSF test can already differentiate AD patients from those with other diseases that have similar symptoms. There is currently no FDA approved diagnostic test to detect Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease currently afflicts over five million Americans, and the world market for AD therapy is currently estimated to be 30 million patients. For more information, visit www.appliedneurosolutions.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Applied NeuroSolutions wishes to caution the readers of this press release that actual results may differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements and may be adversely affected by, among other things, the risks associated with new product development and commercialization, clinical trials, intellectual property, regulatory approvals, potential competitive offerings, and access to capital. For further information, please visit the company's website at www.appliedneurosolutions.com, and review the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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