An oral medication approved to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) could also put the brakes on inflammation thought to play a role in the development of Alzheimer's disease, new research suggests.
For some reason, microglia can also switch into overdrive, prompting them to flood their surroundings with signaling chemicals called cytokines that puts the tissues into a state of high alert. As with MS, this boost of inflammation can damage nerves, leading to the steady degeneration we associate with the symptoms of dementia, such as confusion, loss of judgment, and memory loss.
Since the same sphingolipid that gives T and B cells a hall pass also activates receptors on the microglia, Bieberich and his team wondered if a drug like ponesimod might flick microglia's switches, forcing them to silently focus their efforts on clean-up. Using mice genetically engineered to present human-like features of Alzheimer's disease, and post-mortem samples of brain tissue donated by Alzheimer's patients, the researchers investigated both the role of the sphingolipid in mediating microglia activity and the consequences of blocking it. So far the results look encouraging, with clear signs that ponesimod reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines and triggers anti-inflammatory signaling that encourages microglia to gobble up troublesome protein clumps and tangles in the brain. "In our study, we reprogrammed microglia into neuron-protective cells that clean up toxic proteins in the brain, reduce Alzheimer's neuroinflammatory pathology, and improve memory in the mouse model,"As with any medication that shows promise, there is still a need to replicate the effects safely in people before we can consider this a suitable treatment for human patients. Yet piggy-backing on a pharmaceutical that has proven its safety and efficacy clears a significant amount of red tape and expense. Having cost-effective ways to slow or even rewind the debilitating symptoms of Alzheimer's disease is quickly becoming a global priority.worldwide live with dementia. By the middle of the century, this figure is expected to soar as populations age, nearly tripling to just under 140 million. Most of this growth is expected to take place in developing nations. "Since this drug is already in clinical use for therapy of relapsing multiple sclerosis, it is immediately available to be used in Alzheimer's disease therapy as well,"
Please follow us on Google to support usUnited States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Court revives doctors' lawsuit saying FDA overstepped its authority with anti-ivermectin campaignA federal appeals court in New Orleans has revived a lawsuit by three doctors who say the Food and Drug Administration overstepped its authority in a campaign against the use of a drug that is not approved to treat COVID-19.
Read more »
Biden-approved green energy firm has deep ties to the Chinese Communist PartyA California-based energy company the Biden administration greenlit for a Michigan electric vehicle battery plant project has considerable ties to the Chinese Communist Party — a revelation national security experts and Republicans warn is deeply alarming.
Read more »
Common Sleeping Pill May Reduce Build-Up of Alzheimer's Proteins, Study FindsThere's still so much we don't know about Alzheimer's disease, but the link between poor sleep and worsening disease is one that researchers are exploring with gusto.
Read more »
New Drug Can Help Treat Aggressive, Deep-Rooted Brain TumorsScientists have discovered great potential in an up-and-coming drug that targets an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Read more »
UC Berkeley bat research may yield insight into Alzheimer's diseaseResearchers at Cal have released a study about how bats navigate and they think it may provide answers to some human behavior and even insight into Alzheimer's disease.
Read more »
Pump Yourself Up With These 8 Sexologist-Approved Inflatable Sex ToysInflatable sex toys go far beyond the blow-up sex doll you may have seen in teen movies. Here's everything to know.
Read more »