Reversing the Signs of Alzheimer's Disease

Biologists at the University of St. Andrews (St. Andrews, Scotland, UK) have developed synthetic compounds capable of blocking a nerve cell interaction known to lead to the symptoms of the disease. The researchers have demonstrated that it is possible to reverse some of the signs associated with AD.

Dr. Frank Gunn-Moore's group, working with researchers in the United States, have effectively reversed a sign for the progression of the disease and prevented the death of brain cells. This then led to improved memory and learning ability that was already damaged.

AD affects about half a million people in the United Kingdom alone--a number that is expected to be twice that with the general aging of the population over the next generation. The discovery that AD is caused by a toxic protein that destroys nerve cells in the brains of sufferers has led to the search for a compound that can block or decrease the debilitating interaction.

AD is associated with the accumulation of amyloid protein, which ultimately forms "senile plaques.” The amyloid protein inflicts damage by interacting with an enzyme called ABAD (amyloid beta alcohol dehydrogenase) and releasing toxic substances that kill brain cells.

Dr. Gunn-Moore's study first focused on developing the three-dimensional shape of ABAD and understanding how amyloid attaches itself to the structure. Dr Gunn-Moore, a senior lecturer at the University's School of Biology, said, "Alzheimer's sufferers produce too much amyloid and ABAD in their brains. Based on our knowledge of ABAD, we produced an inhibitor that can prevent amyloid attaching to it in a living model. We have shown that it is possible to reverse some of the signs associated with Alzheimer's disease. The work is now being continued to try and refine the inhibitor into a potential drug. Our research holds a possible key for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, particularly in its early stages.”

The UK Alzheimer's Research Trust have awarded the St. Andrews team a further grant to develop the research over the next three years--the funding will allow Ph.D. researcher Kirsty Muirhead to build on the success of recent results. Dr. Muirhead aims to find and evaluate other compounds to locate the inhibitor with the greatest potential for use in future therapies.

Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, said, "A drug that can stop Alzheimer's disease from killing brain cells is a holy grail for researchers working to overcome the devastating condition, which affects more than 500,000 people in the UK. We wish Dr. Gunn-Moore and his team well in this exciting research.”


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University of St. Andrews