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Scientists ‘reverse and repair’ damage done by Alzheimer’s in ‘encouraging’ lab mice study
Researchers in Munich, Germany have published the results of a very encouraging study in which they claim to have been successful in halting the progression of neurodegenerative disease, and even repairing the neuronal dysfunctions caused by Alzheimers. However, we shouldn’t jump to any wild conclusions about curing dementia just yet.
They carried out their research on laboratory mice, which means its not necessarily directly applicable to humans, and their techniques may not be available to treat neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Alzheimers in humans for quite some time. However, the notion that the clinicians of the future might be able to ‘reverse Alzheimers disease‘ is very exciting.�
Protein may be capable of halting Alzheimers at an early stage
The researchers, working at the Technical University of Munich in southern Germany, injected a particular protein into the brains of laboratory mice that had been genetically modified to have a disease resembling Alzheimers.
They found that previously hyperactive brain cells could no longer be distinguished from healthy nerve cells. In other words, it stopped the hyperactivity in its tracks and made the cells healthy again.
The proteins name is amyloid-beta-binding anticalin or H1GA. In the words of Science Dailys write-up, it can halt the progression of the serious neurodegenerative disease at an early stage.
In the scientific jargon of the research authors themselves, their method reverses early neuronal and synaptic dysfunctions.
The results are very encouraging but we shouldnt hold our breath
The idea that the damage done by neurodegenerative diseases like dementia and Alzheimers disease can not only be halted stopped but also undone, repaired, and reversed, is cause for celebration.
Team leader Dr Benedikt Zott described the results as very encouraging.
The effect of completely suppressing neuronal hyperactivity in the early stages of the disease is particularly remarkable, he added.
However, he also notes that the scientific community is still a long way from a therapy that can be used in humans. The research was carried out on laboratory mice, so there is no guarantee that it is directly applicable to human patients. At the moment, prediction and prevention are our best tools against neurodegenerative diseases there is no known cure.
Roughly 55 million people worldwide live with dementia. Around 10 million people join that list every year. Alzheimers disease is the most common form of dementia, and reliably enters the top 10 causes of death in the US, year-on-year.
