New Hope for Alzheimer's Patients

In a move that provides new hope to millions of people who are suffering from Alzheimer's disease, scientists believe they may have discovered a potential target for dementia-the secret of restoring lost memory. Researchers have found a way of blocking a molecule in the brain, which is more prevalent in patients with Alzheimer's.

When the miR-34c molecule is blocked memory is restored.

Although the study has so far only been carried out in mice, the scientists hope their discovery could pave the way for the creation of a drug that would target the molecule and be an effective treatment.

"This could be an exciting new target for dementia scientists, and this research approach holds some promise in other disease research areas," the Daily Express quoted Dr Simon Ridley, head of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, as saying.

"Further studies building on the work with mice should tell us how valuable this molecule might be in protecting brain function in people.

"We are still in desperate need of an effective treatment for Alzheimer's, with current drugs only helping people with some symptoms," he added.

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The findings are published online in EMBO Journal.

Source-ANI