How the amyloid hypothesis holds its grip

By now, two things are clear about the amyloid hypothesis of Alzheimer’s disease: one is that the amyloid peptide is somehow involved; the other is that it’s a terrible target.

β amyloid has had an irresistible pull on drug developers because human genetic data strongly argue the peptide causes the disease. But at least 20 failed Phase III trials, and zero successful ones, argue equally strongly that it’s not the path to success. ...