New approach in Alzheimer's therapy

New treatment options discovered by Alzheimer's

02/09/2011

Scientists around the globe are busy researching the basics of Alzheimer's disease and possible therapeutic approaches. Jens Pahnke and colleagues of „Neurodegeneration Research Lab“ (NRL) of the University of Rostock have now found a faulty removal of special proteins (amyloids) in the brain as a cause of Alzheimer's disease while testing a new treatment approach.

The number of Alzheimer's diseases has already increased significantly in Germany over the past decades and, according to the German Alzheimer's Association, will continue to increase in the coming years. By 2050 there is a threat of a doubling of those affected if research fails to develop an effective drug.

Deposition of Alzheimer's protein in the brain
In animal experiments with genetically modified mice, the research team led by Jens Pahnke proved that a defect of the transporter ABCC1 causes a massive increase in the harmful Alzheimer protein in the brain. As the researchers in the current issue of the magazine „The Journal of Clinical Investigation“ reported that Alzheimer's peptides could not cross the blood-brain barrier in the absence of the transporter and deposited in the brain of the animals. The amount of amyloids in the brain of the mice had increased by a factor of twelve in the case of transport defects, according to the results of the Rostock-based Alzheimer's experts. As Jens Pahnke explains in the current post, every human being's brain is formed during aging „the toxic substances that make up Alzheimer's plaques.“ However, in healthy people, these can pass through the blood-brain cabinet with the help of certain transporters and accordingly deposit less frequently in the brain. The consequence of a deposition of Alzheimer's peptides in the brain is the death of the nerve cells and the associated development of Alzheimer's dementia, according to the scientists. So far it remained „completely unknown“, like this mechanism „99 percent of Alzheimer's patients work“, explained Jens Pahnke. Only „in the few familial cases of Alzheimer's we know the causes,“ Pahnke continues. Accordingly, the researchers were also in the search for possible therapeutic approaches long in the dark.

New treatment option for Alzheimer discovered?
However, scientists in Rostock have not only deciphered the reason for the increased formation of Alzheimer's peptides in the brain, but also found a way to influence the deposition of amyloids. The drug thiethylperazine, which has been used for decades to treat dizziness, nausea and vomiting, has reduced the amount of Alzheimer's peptides in the brain by about 70 percent over a period of 25 days, the researchers report. For the first time, it was not only possible to establish a connection between the deposition of harmful amyloids in the brain and the ABCC1 transporter, but also to show an option for drug treatment. According to the Alzheimer's researchers, the known active substance would have to be developed further in future investigations, but in principle there is hope for a therapeutic option that can significantly influence the outbreak and course of disease in the patients' sense. For their further studies, the researchers are currently looking for patients throughout Germany, where they can examine the function of transporters in the brain in more detail. According to the experts, for example, it is known that the function of the transporter is modified by food, medication or other environmental influences.

Further studies on drug-based Alzheimer's therapy required
As the Alzheimer's expert Wolfgang Härtig of the Leipzig University Hospital confirms in a commentary on the current study, the results of Pahnke and colleagues are an important step on the way to a successful treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Although the diagnostic procedures have improved significantly in recent decades, no progress has yet been made in the treatment of neurodegenerative disease, Härtig explained. thats why „Every new idea like Pahnke's is extremely welcome“, stressed the Leipzig Alzheimer's researchers. However, as Jans Pahnke explained, another five years could pass before drug treatment for Alzheimer's becomes possible. It also remains to be seen whether influencing the transport mechanism of amyloids in all patients shows the same effects. To examine this more closely, Pahnke and colleagues are currently looking for volunteer study participants, especially older couples, in which a partner is suffering from dementia, are particularly well suited for research, said the Rostock scientists.

Natural active ingredients for the treatment of Alzheimer's?
Since the prospects for a successful treatment of Alzheimer's disease in the future will still depend significantly on the time of diagnosis, the Rostock scientists are currently working on a diagnostic method that will check how well the transporters work in the brain. This would allow conclusions about the risk of disease and could serve as a method for early diagnosis, explained Jens Pahnke. The goal of the scientists is, „that the disease is recognized as early as possible to prevent further deterioration,“ stressed the expert. The Rostock researchers are also breaking new ground. For example, another project of the University of Rostock is currently testing naturopathic substances that are supposed to have a preventive effect on old-age diseases and thus possibly also have dementia and Alzheimer's preventive effects. It has, for example, the „Greek (not the German) verbena“ that causes the gene manipulated „Mice improved mental performance and decreased the amount of Alzheimer's peptides by 80 percent,“ reports Jens Pahnke. Thus, the key to the future treatment of dementia-Alzheimer - as in so many other diseases - could be in a natural active ingredient. (Fp)

Read about Alzheimer's:
Alzheimer's is often not recognized
Alzheimer's discernible years before the outbreak
Alzheimer's: Vitamin B can prevent dementia
Bilingualism delays Alzheimer's
World Alzheimer's Day: Experts warn against dementia
Alzheimer's not curable
Dementia and Alzheimer's

Image: Gerd Altmann, Pixelio.de