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Advancement in Alzheimer's Disease Research
Written by: Azazel | 2/17/24
Brain scans showing the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. @Mayo Clinic
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that destroys memory and other important mental functions. Throughout the brain, the nerve cells slowly die and the brain tissue decreases. As of 2021 Alzheimer’s was ranked number seven in the leading causes of death in America.
Comparison between a normal, healthy brain to a brain diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. @Barrow
While scientists are unsure of what causes Alzheimer's, many suspect that it is due to the buildup of plaque between the nerve cells in the brain. These plaques form when protein pieces called beta-amyloid clump together. They can activate the immune system cells to trigger an inflammatory reaction to devour disabled cells that cannot send signals to other neurons.
Research for Alzheimer’s
Over the years, patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease have increased and the percentage is constantly rising. As a result, the research in this field has also increased and many new possible treatments have been tested.
In January of 2023, lecanemab was approved by the FDA to be considered a treatment for Alzheimer’s. Lacanemab is a drug that targets the amyloid in the brain and works with the body’s immune system to clear the amyloid protein buildup. Recently, researchers are using this drug to help advance their progress in finding a cure for the disease.
On January 3, 2024, researchers from West Virginia University Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute announced that they found a possible treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease. Due to the blood-brain barrier, a barrier between the blood vessels and the brain that blocks harmful substances, more than 98 percent of drugs cannot enter the brain to locate the plaques. However, in their research, they concluded that with a focused ultrasound, they would be able to safely and temporarily open the barrier to allow the anti-amyloid-beta antibody treatment to enter the targeted areas of the brain.
An Alzheimer’s patient undergoes focused ultrasound treatment. @WVU Medicine
After their first phase of testing, the institute released that their results demonstrated the safety of their research and increased reduction of amyloid-beta plaques measured in their brain scans. This year they plan on starting the next phase of the clinical trial to explore how to further accelerate amyloid-beta removal in a shorter period of time.
Sources used:
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm