Alzheimer’s Pathology Reducing Compound

Researchers from the University of Illinois have significantly reduced amyloid plaques in mouse models by using a single molecule, L1. The study results have been published in the journal ACS Chemical Neuroscience, and suggest drugs that interact specifically with different regions of amyloid-beta protein fragments and other Alzheimer’s associated peptides and metal ions could bring us closer to an effective therapeutic for the most common form of dementia that affects over 40 million people globally.

Very recently, as well as over several decades, many clinical trials targeting the build up of the neurotoxic protein amyloid beta have not been successful in moving to the next phases of study. Novel approaches to treating the disease are much needed, since scientists are still not completely certain of the mechanisms that lead to Alzheimer’s. Right now, there are 30 pharmacological trials in early phases with targets other than amyloid, according to Richard Hodes, director of the National Institute of Aging in the US.