This drug in the OP also works on AB-amyloid and does appear to slow mental decline, but it allegedly does so by inturrupting the formation of new AB-amyloid by binding its precursors rather than trying to reduce already existing amyloid plaques. If these results hold then it further strengthens the amyloid theory.

I think that first article you posted exaggerates the degree to which the research was faked; independent biochemical testing was performed by more than just the scientists in question in the article and the amyloid theory continues to prove fruitful