Partial Amyloid Beta Inhibition Improves Memory in Alzheimer's

by Tanya Thomas on July 29, 2008 at 9:34 AM

This could be real good news for Alzheimer's patients. New York University researchers, after a successful animal study, suggest that partially inhibiting an enzyme that initiates the release of amyloid beta may help improve memory dysfunction.

Lead researcher Dr. Masuo Ohno, an expert at the Center for Dementia Research at the Nathan Kline Institute, has revealed that this proposition is based on the results of a study on mice.

Alzheimers Disease

Alzheimer''s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting memory and thinking and making the person increasingly dependent on others.

The study showed that partially inhibiting the enzyme led to an improvement in neuronal and cognitive deficits in mice that produced excessive amounts of the plaque forming protein.

Based on their observations, the researchers came to the conclusion that the approach showed a possibility to rescue Alzheimer's-related deficits.

A presentation on the study was made at the ongoing Alzheimer's Association 2008 International Conference, which runs until July 31 in Chicago.

Source: ANI
TAN/M

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