A study in mice found that a molecule derived from a genetic variant slows the disease

World Alzheimer's Day is celebrated on 21 September. In Italy at least 600,000 people suffer from it Video

The study, carried out by the Besta Neurological Institute and the Mario Negri Institute, and published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry , wants to demonstrate the efficacy against Alzheimer's of a molecule administered intranasally. The study started by observing that in nature there are very rare genetic variants that are able to protect individuals who are carriers from Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's (World Day is celebrated on 21 September, ed ) is the most frequent form of dementia, caused by the accumulation of beta-amyloid and Tau proteins. We discovered that a small fragment deriving from the protein produced by a genetic variant - already identified in the past by the laboratories of the Besta Institute - if administered intranasally in mice is able to efficiently reach the brain, slow down the production of amyloid plaques and protect neurons and synapses from the destructive action of the disease.
The transition to humans will still take time: at the moment we do not yet know if this small molecule will be able to produce the same beneficial effects found in the animal model, but the fact that it derives from a protective genetic variant that already exists in nature is a starting point. peculiar to this treatment strategy and increases the chances that it will be effective. The advantages are two: the ease of administration of the molecule through the intranasal route and the low production costs, lower than those of other drugs that are tested against Alzheimer's disease.

Neurologist of the Besta Institute, Milan

Source: oggi.it