Presentation made May 13, 2015 at live webinar titled Computational Modeling—Will it Rescue AD Clinical Trials? and hosted by Alzforum - http://www.alzforum.org/webinars/computational-modeling-will-it-rescue-ad-clinical-trials

1. Why Develop Models of Biological
Systems or Clinical Conditions?
♦ They can allow pooling of data from many studies
investigating a common phenomenon (e.g. AD
progression, a-beta movement between compartments)
♦ They can enable precise estimates of conditions that
were not observed directly (e.g. progression of AD over
years)
♦ They can reduce the need for unnecessary replication
(multiple estimates of change rate, etc)
♦ New data can be quantitatively put in context of previous
findings-model assumptions tested, parameters adjusted
♦ They provide an excellent benchmark for determining
how well a phenomenon is understood.

2. Models Currently in Use – Alzheimer’s
♦ The CAMD Alzheimer’s Disease Progression Model –
Integrates data from many studies and is highly
quantitative – Limited number of parameters modeled.
♦ The Jack model of AD progression (Lancet Neurology,
2010) includes many measures but is not quantitative.
♦ Models of amyloid synthesis, degradation and movement
between compartments are new and not quantitative.
♦ PK/PD models used frequently in drug development (e.g.
BACE inhibitors) but have limited scope.