Dear Dr. Selkoe,

There are just few days left before Alzheimer's Congress 2004 in Philadelphia, PA, so I would like to comment on your earlier e.mail.

I do not agree with your calling my correspondence an "unfortunate campaign against me" [i.e. you]. I aim to restore public trust and integrity in Alzheimer's neuroscience research and advocate for disclose of competing interests that different STM journals and Scientific bodies hide for some reason. As you can find elsewhere, there are conflicts by other scientists that I draw attention to and that await disclosures by responsible bodies.

I respect scientists engaging in commercialization of their projects, as such ventures may lead to products benefiting public health. I, however, share the ethics of the "Society for Neuroscience Guidelines on responsible conduct regarding scientific communication" and "Uniformal Requirements for manuscripts submitted to the biomedical journals" requiring a disclosure, even in case there is just a potential conflict of interest.

I am sorry that vast majority of your articles and meeting reports (including last year 33rd Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting 2003 and coming Alzheimer's 2004 Philadelphia Congress abstracts) lack competing interest disclosure. There is no disclosure at the public Alzheimer's forum despite of your numerous contributions at this forum. In apparent accord with the above Geoffrey Cowley (the author of 19 June, 2002 Newsweek article "Alzheimer's: The disappearing mind") wrote to me: "I have long followed Dr. Selkoe's pioneering Alzheimer's research, but I wasn't aware of the possible conflicts between his role as an investigator and his role as a director of Elan. The stock sales described by the Business Post are indeed eye-catching, even if they represent only a small share of Selkoe's holdings in the company. I appreciate knowing about this and will read the articles you cite in your footnotes. Please let me know if you come across other relevant information." (August 21, 2002)

I believe that you respect the right by scientists, students, media members, lay audience, care givers, patients and their family members to know about industry ties by you and other members of Alzheimer's field. I, however, have no personal conflict with you and appreciate your contribution. 

I am thankful for your letter other comment that "Abeta is a normal product of cellular metabolism", that "Abeta is normal", and that you "are certainly not ignoring its physiological role".

To the best of my knowledge in your recent contribution you avoided talking on physiological role for amyloid beta. Therefore it is very important for the Alzheimer's field to know your opinion that "Ab is normal", and to counterbalance Dr. Martin Citron (your co-author of many articles) statement that "Abeta is a piece of junk", made in the latest ARF interview.

I wish you a successful congress.

Sincerely,

Alexei Koudinov, MD, PhD
http://koudinov.info

A year ago I informed you (see below) that I am ready to communicate with you via open to public scientific correspondence.

Sincerely,
 

Alexei Koudinov

Dr. Koudinov:

As you know, I asked to speak with you directly about your complaints a year ago, and you refused.  You are incorrect in your claims.  I have not hidden my role as a founding scientist of Athena and consultant to Elan; it is in my Biosketch, has been disclosed in numerous of my talks, articles and reviews that pertain to the actual work of Athena/Elan, and was well-known in the research community long prior to your unfortunate campaign against me.  Moreover, it is not uncommon for academic scientists to co-found and consult to companies in their areas of scientific expertise.

Perhaps more importantly, the scientific community is well aware that Aß is a normal product of cellular metabolism.  Indeed, my laboratory was one of those that discovered this fact in 1992.  Aß is produced physiologically and may have a normal function, but when it accumulates excessively in certain regions of the brain, it can oligomerize and attain new, potentially neurotoxic functions, as many labs worldwide -- including ours -- have shown.  So, Aß is normal, but it also appears to contribute to disease.  Lowering its brain concentrations back to normal levels is one approach to treating and preventing AD.  We are certainly not ignoring its physiological role.

This message of clarification is intended for you, personally, and is not for distribution.  I hope you will respect this.  I also hope you will end your attacks on me; you have made your point many times over.

Dennis Selkoe

Dear Dr. Selkoe,

Thank you very much for your e.mail.

I will be happy to communicate with you via open to public scientific correspondence. I beleive that BMJ eResponses and Science dEbates provide excellent media to address any issue.

Sincerely,
 

Alexei Koudinov

cc: Science, BMJ

Dear Dr. Koudinov:

I would like to speak with you by telephone.  Could you kindly provide me with your telephone numbers and a few convenient times for me to call you.  Anytime this weekend would be good for me.

Thank you.  Dennis Selkoe