The exact causes behind neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s remain unknown to this day. Researching these conditions is highly complex, particularly as they tend to quietly develop over the course of decades. As a result, in Switzerland we are currently only able to treat symptoms, but not the causes behind them.
«Despite the major leaps made in research over the past 30 years, a patient diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia is still unable to obtain adequate treatment”, confirms Philip Scheltens, member of the Synapsis Foundation Scientific Advisory Board. “We urgently need to improve our understanding of the underlying processes in the brain and diagnose the disease before the onset of dementia.»
Prof. PhD. Philip Scheltens, MD, PhD.
By the time the first indications of dementia have appeared, the brain has already sustained significant damage. The first pathological changes in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients take place over 20 years before the first symptoms manifest. Once the first neurological symptoms become apparent, the brain has already been irreversibly damaged. With this in mind, the earlier the disease is detected and treatment can be introduced, the better. This is why new, easily applicable diagnostic methods for early detection are crucial. Scientists aim to use these methods to prevent further damage to the brain before the onset of symptoms.
While there may be several treatments available to slow the progression of dementias and alleviate symptoms, there still is no cure. Despite strong research, we still don’t have the knowledge we require about the causes behind neuronal cell death in the brain. More fundamental research is required to obtain a better understanding of the disease progression and develop effective treatments.
For a long time, Alzheimer's research focused on removing the characteristic protein deposits in the brain or preventing them from occurring in the first place. Researchers may have succeeded in reducing the protein as a result, but this has yet to be found to lead to any major improvements in cognitive abilities. Aducanumab is such a drug, approved for use in the USA in June 2021. The drug works by removing the amyloid plaques characteristic of Alzheimer's in the brain. The drug has not been approved for use in Europe as its effectiveness is yet to be proven beyond doubt. The effectiveness of other drugs such as gantenerumab, which also works to counter plaque in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, is currently being tested in clinical trials. Timing plays a crucial role in the treatment of Alzheimer's and other types of dementia: The sooner you can intervene in the disease progression, the stronger the effect you can hope to have
Lecanemab (Leqembi)
In the course of 2022, various other clinical trials were discontinued due to insufficient efficacy. At the end of November 2022, there was finally positive news to report: the pharmaceutical companies Eisai and Biogen presented the results of their study with the monoclonal antibody Lecanemab. Lecanemab also reduces amyloid deposits in the brain. However, this agent was shown to slow cognitive decline in patients with mild cognitive impairment. However, even this active ingredient can only delay the progression of Alzheimer's disease, but not stop it. In January 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration FDA approved a fast-track approval for lecanemab. On July 6, 2023, the FDA definitively approved lecanemab as the first Alzheimer's drug in the United States. Lecanemab combats not only the symptoms but also the cause of Alzheimer's disease. This approval is a major step forward in Alzheimer's research and gives Alzheimer's patients new perspectives. However, the cost of the new drug who called Leqembi is quite high, with a list price of 26,500 dollars in the USA.
On September 25, 2023, the Japanese regulatory agency became the second regulatory agency, after the FDA in the U.S., to approve lecanemab for the treatment of early-stage Alzheimer's disease.
When can we expect to see Lecanemab in Switzerland? The application to Swissmedic was submitted in May. A decision is expected by the end of 2024. Until then, lecanemab will only be produced in Switzerland.
Donanemab (Kinsula)
On July 2, 2024, the active ingredient donanemab from the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly was fully approved in the USA for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Marketed under the name Kisunla, the drug is based on the removal of amyloid plaques. It is used to treat adults in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) who have mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia.
In the pivotal Phase 3 trial, Kisunla slowed cognitive and functional decline by up to 35% after 18 months compared to the control group and reduced the risk of participants progressing to the next clinical stage of the disease by up to 39%.
Kisunla is the first drug available that is used for a limited period of time to remove amyloid plaques. Once-monthly infusions lasting 30 minutes reduced amyloid plaques by an average of 84% compared to the start of the study.
However, severe side effects can also occur with Kisunla, such as temporary swelling in the brain or cerebral hemorrhages. It is not yet known if and when Kisunla will be approved in Switzerland.
There is not one sole type of dementia. And there may never be a universal cure for every type of the disease. Researchers believe there are several factors involved in the occurrence of dementing illnesses, including inflammatory reactions or the energy supply to neurons. More scientific research is urgently required to understand the links between these individual factors and how they ultimately result in a loss of neurons in the brain.
According to studies, over 30% of dementia cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle. These findings were confirmed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in its guidelines on preventing dementia. Scientists are currently looking for suitable ways to reduce each individual's risk of developing dementia, including methods to improve sleep quality.
Dementia Research Switzerland - Synapsis Foundation supports research into dementing illnesses and other neurodegenerative disorders conducted by scientists at Swiss universities and other research institutes with the aim of gaining new information on dementia.
Research areas
As an independent funding organization, we fund basic research and clinical research into Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.
The projects we fund aim to
Young researchers
The foundation places a particular emphasis on funding young, highly talented researchers. Targeted funding programmes enable the foundation to attract the best and most creative talented scientists to research neurodegenerative disorders and establish new research groups.
By following this forward-thinking approach, the foundation is sustainably investing in more research to prevent memory loss.
Promoting competition through public calls for projects
Each year, the foundation publishes a public call for new research projects throughout Switzerland. From among the submissions, 6 to 10 projects are selected. The selected projects receive 2 to 4 years of funding by the foundation amounting to up to CHF 100,000 annually. The foundation requires periodic reporting and project monitoring to ensure the funds are used as intended.
Promoting Switzerland as a research location
As a research location, Switzerland offers optimum conditions for making a significant contribution to the understanding of Alzheimer’s disease. First applications can only be submitted by scientists that work at a university or other public research institute in Switzerland.
Selecting outstanding project proposals
Our scientific advisory committee works with international experts to review the submitted research proposals. They focus on the innovative nature, quality and feasibility of the proposed project. This peer review process enables us to ensure that only the best research projects are selected and recommended to the Board of Trustees for funding. The Board of Trustees is responsible for deciding which projects will receive funding in the upcoming years.
Dementia Research Switzerland - Synapsis Foundation has made waves in the world of dementia research since 2003 thanks to the loyal support of our donors.
Our Scientific Advisory Board consists of internationally acclaimed experts from the field of brain disorders. It advises the Board of Trustees on all scientific matters and plays a central role in selecting and monitoring projects that receive funding.
Chairwoman
Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich
Member
Department of Basic Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva
Member
Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research at the University of Tübingen and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)
Member
Alzheimer’s Centre, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam
Member
University of Perugia
Member
Institute of Molecular Biology, Mainz, Germany
Research promotion by Synapsis Foundation – more than just research funding
Dementia Research Switzerland – Synapsis Foundation collects donations of private and institutional donors to support projects in the field of neurodegeneration research.
To accelerate research into neurodegenerative diseases and dementia, the Synapsis Foundation supports projects in the following areas:
The foundation welcomes high-risk proposals and collaborative projects involving groups from different disciplines.
Evaluation Criteria:
The Scientific Advisory Board evaluates the submitted research proposals, supported by external experts, according to the following criteria:
Evaluation Process
The call for proposals 2024 is closed. The next call will be published at the end of March 2025.
The application tool has been closed. Applications will not be possible before the 2025 call for proposals.
SCIENTIFIC EVENTS
In order to improve networking and the exchange of knowledge between scientists from different disciplines and institutions, Synapsis Foundation organizes events for researchers. The intention is to support the establishment of new research collaborations and to make optimal use of synergies.
CONTACT
Heide Marie Hess
Liaison Officer Research
Phone number: +41 44 271 35 11
Email address: hess_at_demenz-forschung.ch