New prospects for anti-Alzheimer's drugs

Recently, a new drug has the ability to 'go' into cells and reverse the signs of Alzheimer's disease when it is injected into the brain of mice.

The result of this study is that scientists consider this a way to find new treatment for humans.

Research has shown that the compound has succeeded in blocking an enzyme that plays a role in the formation of adhesions, or plaque in the brain by attaching itself to the stain on the cell wall where the activity is toxic takes place.

The formation of plaque is thought by scientists to have a very important role in the development of Alzheimer's disease.

Kai Simons, a researcher at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics in Dresden, says if things go well, a version will be available to patients for 5 to 10 years.

Plaque in the brain (Photo: alzheimers.about.com)

Simons added, "It's clear that this drug was injected into the rat's brain and it worked. The next step is that we have to monitor whether it passes through the blood brain barrier . and if this can happen, this is really a good prospect for the production of anti-Alzheimer's drugs. ' Drugs that are taken or given to the brain must pass a natural barrier that protects the brain from chemicals in the blood.

Animal tests on this next step are being carried out, followed by success as in direct injection into the brain, reducing plaque formation by up to 50% in just 4 hours. .

The World Health Organization estimates that about 18 million people worldwide suffer from Alzheimer's disease and that figure is expected to reach 34 million by 2025.