Myriad Genetics Inc. has asked the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for permission to begin clinical testing of what it says may be a potential breakthrough for treatment and perhaps prevention of Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers say preliminary studies of R-flurbiprofen in mice show it can decrease brain levels of Amyloid beta-42 protein (Ab42), which has been linked by studies to Alzheimer's.

"This is the most promising compound out there for treatment of Alzheimer's," said Adrian Hobden, president of Myriad's pharmaceuticals subsidiary.

The FDA has 30 days to respond to the application and give its approval for the company to begin a Phase 1 clinical trial that will include 48 subjects and is projected to be complete within one year of the application's approval.

"It has been known for some years that individuals from families demonstrating a high instance of early onset Alzheimer's disease have mutations in genes involved in amyloid processing and with higher than normal levels of Ab-42 in the central nervous system," said Hobden.

Unlike currently approved treatments that reduce Ab-42 and exhibit high levels of toxicity in clinical trials, Myriad's new drug can reduce protein fragments without toxic side effects, Hobden said.

Other sources: Deseret News, Myriad Genetics, FDA