Cure for Alzheimer’s one step closer

A cure for Alzheimer’s has become one step closer following a breakthrough treatment that has reduced Alzheimer’s-like inflammation in mouse brains.

Researchers at Southampton University found that the reduced inflammation increased the capability of the brain’s memory and behavioural skills; suggesting that the inflammation of the brain is actually a cause of the disease, opposed to a symptom.

Scientists first compared tissue from human brains that were both infected and not infected with the disease; finding that those suffering from Alzheimer’s had more immune cells (microglia) than healthy brains.

Following this, mice that had been bred with high levels of microglia were injected with the potential new Alzheimer’s drug. In these mice, it was noted connections between nerve cells were maintained and memory and behavioural loss was limited – a common trait of Alzheimer’s sufferer’s brains.

The next step is to find a similar drug which can be used in human trials.

The disease, which is the most common form of dementia, has been observed in humans since 1906, but no cure has yet materialised. This latest development gives hope to nearly half a million UK sufferers.

To find out more about Alzheimer’s, read our “Top five questions about Alzheimer’s”, here.

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