Targeting age-related macular degeneration with Alzheimer's disease based immunotherapies: anti-amyloid-beta antibody attenuates pathologies in an age-related macular degeneration mouse model.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a late-onset, neurodegenerative retinal disease that shares several clinical and pathological features with Alzheimer's disease (AD) including extracellular deposits containing amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptides. Immunotherapy targeting the Abeta protein has been investigated as a potential treatment for AD. Here, we present the rationale for extending this approach to treat AMD. We tested an anti-Abeta antibody administered systemically in a mouse model of AMD. Histological and functional measurements in treated animals compared to controls showed that following immunotherapy, the amounts of Abeta in the retina and brain were decreased and the ERG deficits in the retina were attenuated. These data support the hypothesis that Abeta is a therapeutic target for AMD.