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Studies protein injection promising treatment for Alzheimer's?
A disease of Alzheimer's has fatal consequences for those affected. Memory loss, mobility disorders, impairments of reasoning and judgment are typical symptoms of the disease. There is no prospect of recovery so far. However, researchers from the University of Glasgow and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have identified a "promising potential treatment" for Alzheimer's disease in their recent research. The results of the study were published in the journal "PNAS".
Scientists at the University of Glasgow and HKUST have succeeded in reversing the memory loss and cognitive impairment of Alzheimer's disease in mice. By injecting a particular protein, the symptoms returned within a relatively short time. Also, the Alzheimer's typical deposits and the inflammatory processes in the brain of mice were reduced, according to the Communication of the University of Glasgow. If the results can be transferred to humans, the researchers believe that an efficient possibility of Alzheimer's therapy could open here.
Researchers succeed in the mouse model, the elimination of Alzheimer's symptoms. (Image: Kirsty Pargeter / fotolia.com) Protein IL-33 with promising effects
In their study, the scientists investigated the possible therapeutic use of the protein IL-33 in the mouse model. "IL-33 is a protein that is produced by different cell types in the body and is particularly abundant in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord)," says Professor Eddy Liew of the University of Glasgow. The experiments were performed on genetically engineered mice (APP / PS1 mice) that develop progressive Alzheimer's symptoms with aging. "We found that injecting IL-33 into aged APP / PS1 mice rapidly improved their memory and cognitive function," said Prof. Liew. Within a week, there had been a decline in impairments to the level of normal mice of the same age.
Reduction of Alzheimer's plaques in the brain
Also, the so-called amyloid plaques (Alzheimer typical protein deposits in the brain), which are associated with disorders of the connections between the nerve cells, according to the researchers were reduced by the injection of the protein. IL-33 had mobilized the microglia (immune cells in the brain) so that they could increase the uptake and breakdown of the amyloid plaques. The number and size of the plaques have thereby significantly reduced. Last but not least, the mice showed inhibition of brain tissue inflammation as a result of IL-33 treatment, according to the Glasgow University Communication. IL-33 not only helps to eradicate the existing amyloid plague, but also prevents the formation and deposition of new plaques, emphasize Prof. Liew and colleagues.
Clinical study required
Although the relevance of the results for the treatment of Alzheimer's in humans remains unclear at present, the evidence is encouraging, says Professor Liew. Previous genetic studies have found an association between IL-33 mutations and Alzheimer's disease in European and Chinese populations and the brain of patients with Alzheimer's disease has been shown to contain less IL-33 than the brain from non-Alzheimer's patients. However, according to Prof. Liew, a "breakthrough" in Alzheimer's treatment was often reported too lightly in the past. First of all, comprehensive clinical studies will have to follow before any new treatment option for Alzheimer's can be said, the expert emphasizes. However, a good start had been made, because the results in the mouse model were very promising, according to the scientists. (Fp)