Long term treatment by carmustine, a chemical relative of mustard gas can decrease the amount of amyloid β which is already used to treat some types of brain cancer.
Risk Factors for Alzheimers Disease
Cognitively normal adults exhibiting atrophy of their temporal lobe or damage to blood vessels in the brain are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
Cognitively normal adults exhibiting atrophy of their temporal lobe or damage to blood vessels in the brain are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease.
Noticing that people with cancer tended not to get Alzheimer's disease, and vice versa, researchers from the Florida based Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies screened a library of all FDA approved anti-cancer drugs for their ability to reduce amyloid β levels in cells expressing amyloid precursor protein. From this screen they found that carmustine could decrease conversion of precursor protein to amyloid β levels by 60%.When tested in a mouse model of Alzhiemer's disease, long term treatment with carmustine was able to reduce amyloid β levels by 75%.
Discussing how this research could translate to humans Dr Madepalli Lakshmana, who led this study commented, "The level of carmustine needed to achieve reduction in amyloid β is much lower than the dose already used in the treatment of some types of brain cancer. Also carmustine does not appear to act by activating microglia or by blocking secretases which reduces possible side effects seen with other anti-amyloid investigational new drugs. While more work still needs to be done. Carmustine appears to be a powerful candidate drug for treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease."
German Company Shows Off New Drug Discovery Tool for Alzheimer's Disease
Researchers at Sirenade Pharmaceuticals AG in Munich, Germany, have discovered a new drug discovery tool for Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at Sirenade Pharmaceuticals AG in Munich, Germany, have discovered a new drug discovery tool for Alzheimer's disease.
Does Obesity in Old Age Cause Memory Problems?
The American Academy of Neurology have confirmed that being overweight in old age does not lead to memory problems but contributes to high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.
The American Academy of Neurology have confirmed that being overweight in old age does not lead to memory problems but contributes to high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.
Smokers are at Risk of Alzheimer's Disease
People who smoke are at a greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.
People who smoke are at a greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.
