Asthma Drug Could Treat Alzheimer's

An asthma drug- Zileuton has been shown to have good results in treating Alzheimer's disease. Zileuton, which has been approved by the FDA has shown to reduce the formation of a peptide in the brain (amyloid beta) which is associated with the development of Alzheimer's disease. The research which has been conducted by researchers at Temple University's School of Medicine is significant as it may lead to a major breakthrough in the control and/or treatment of Alzheimer's disease. During the study researchers tried to reduce the production of 5-lipoxygenase by using Zileuton in a mouse model. 5- lipoxygenase activates an enzyme (gamma secretase) which is responsible for production of amyloid beta plaques associated with Alzheimer's. The results were positive and showed a reduction in the formation of amyloid plaques in the brain by more than 50%.  

Since this drug is already approved by the FDA scientists can begin with the clinical trials to determine the efficacy of Zileuton in treating Alzheimer's. The research is published in the American Journal of Pathology.


Source-Medindia