Promising Research in Alzheimer’s Treatment
Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease ranks as the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and is the most prevalent form of dementia. This group of conditions primarily affects the elderly and is characterized by memory loss. Currently, there are no medications available that can cure Alzheimer’s. Existing drugs primarily address symptoms and target brain chemicals related to memory, specifically acetylcholine and glutamate.
New Advances in Treatment
Recent research has unveiled a potential new treatment aimed at alleviating symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, with the possibility of reversing its effects. An article published in Scientific Reports details the work of researchers who focused on a molecule known as AC253, which inhibits the action of amylin—a molecule associated with Alzheimer’s.
Research Methodology
The researchers broke down AC253 into smaller fragments to enhance its ability to penetrate the brain, the primary site of Alzheimer’s damage. These smaller fragments showed promise in blocking amylin’s detrimental actions. By analyzing each fragment’s molecular structure, researchers identified those most likely to be effective in human cells.
Key Findings from Mouse Studies
In laboratory tests using cells, the selected AC253 fragments were found to protect human brain cells from amylin-related protein accumulation, a process closely linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Further testing involved brain tissue from mice, revealing that one specific fragment, named ‘R5,’ demonstrated superior ability to enter the brain and effectively combat Alzheimer’s-related protein buildup.
Mice genetically predisposed to Alzheimer’s were treated with the R5 fragment. Results indicated that this smaller molecule effectively blocked the protein accumulation caused by amylin, similar to the original AC253 molecule. Additionally, treated mice exhibited improvements in their navigational abilities, a common issue faced by Alzheimer’s patients.
Next Steps in Research
While these findings are promising, they are preliminary and conducted in mice. Future research will focus on further investigating the safety and efficacy of the R5 fragment before advancing to human clinical trials. This study marks a significant step toward developing a new treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.
References
1. Facts and Figures. Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures. Accessed September 20, 2019.
2. Soudy R, Patel A, Fu W, et al. Cyclic AC253, a novel amylin receptor antagonist, improves cognitive deficits in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions. 2017;3(1):44-56. doi:10.1016/j.trci.2016.11.005.
3. Soudy R, Kimura R, Patel A, et al. Short amylin receptor antagonist peptides improve memory deficits in Alzheimer’s disease mouse model. Scientific Reports. 2019;9(1). doi:10.1038/s41598-019-47255-9.