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Study remedy for menstrual pain also works in Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's is a widespread disease affecting the lives of many people around the world. That's why doctors have been looking for ways to treat this disease successfully for a long time. Researchers have now discovered in an investigation that a drug commonly used to inhibit inflammation could also be used to treat Alzheimer's. The drug helped to reverse memory loss and brain inflammation in experimental animals.
Manchester University researchers found in an investigation that a widely used drug for pain during the period could also be used to treat Alzheimer's. The results of experiments on mice have expired very promising, write the British physician in the journal "Nature Communications".
Alzheimer's disease affects the lives of many older people. For sufferers and relatives, this disease is a huge burden. Researchers have now discovered that an existing menstrual pain medication could help treat Alzheimer's patients. (Image: Ocskay Bence / fotolia.com) Mefenamic acid reverses memory loss in mice
Alzheimer's disease (Alzheimer's disease) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects mostly people over the age of 65 years. Alzheimer's disease is responsible for about 60 percent of the world's dementias. An existing drug may help those affected to better manage their condition. When diseased mice were given so-called mefenamic acid, their memory loss turned completely around, say the doctors. Usually, this substance is used as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) in pain during the period. However, more research is needed to analyze the effects on humans, the author explains. David Brough from Manchester University.
Drug combats inflammation in the brain
In the UK alone, there are about 500,000 people suffering from advanced Alzheimer's disease, the researchers say. Patients often have problems reminding themselves of past events and are usually severely handicapped in their decision-making. This condition gets worse the more time passes. So far, there has been no drug specifically targeted at brain inflammation in Alzheimer's sufferers, Dr. Brough. The drug with mefenamic acid shows good efficacy and we are thrilled with the positive results in mice, adds the physician. However, further research is needed to determine the exact effect on human Alzheimer's disease. The results of experiments with mice can not always be transferred to human diseases, the author explains.
New drug development can take 15 years or more
The drug used in the trial is already available and effects on the human body are known, the researchers explain. This could help to reduce the time it takes for the drug to be used in human Alzheimer's patients. The complete redesign of a drug usually takes a very long time and may take 15 years or more, explains Dr. Brough.
Mice were treated with mefenamic acid for one month
In the study, ten mice were treated with mefenamic acid, while another ten mice received only one placebo. All mice were treated at the same time. The drugs were delivered over a period of one month via an implanted mini-pump under the skin, the researchers say.
Drug has great potential, but further testing is urgently needed
The promising laboratory results identify a class of existing drugs that have the potential to treat Alzheimer's disease by blocking a specific portion of the immune response, the authors of the study explain. But these drugs are not without side effects and for this reason urgent studies on people are needed, say the doctors. (As)