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Amarantus Bioscience Holdings Inc. has released positive data for Eltoprazine in a Phase 2 clinical trial of elderly patients with Alzheimer’s dementia who are aggressive.

Eltoprazine is a selective 5HT1a/1b partial agonist that has been used for the treatment Parkinson’s disease levodopa-induced dyskinesia. It is being poised for development as a symptomatic treatment in adult ADHD and Alzheimer’s aggression. The latter is a problematic issue for long-term care facilities, which have been pushed to avoid off-label use of antipsychotics to minimize aggression.

“Verbal and physical agitation and aggression symptoms are commonly associated with Alzheimer’s disease as the disease progresses into the dementia phase,” commented – Paula T. Trzepacz, M.D., Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine And Scientific Advisory Board member. “There are currently no medications specifically indicated for these symptoms, though many types have been studied in clinical trials, including neuroleptics, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, anxiolytics, sedative/hypnotics, cholinesterase inhibitors, and glutamate system agents.”