A major new study has found certain types of antibodies could remove Alzheimer’s plaques from the brain, the Daily Mail reported.
People with the condition develop amyloid beta plaques in the brain, years before the symptoms show up. This build-up in the brain interferes with neural signals that cause memory loss and cognitive issues.
Now, Washington University School of Medicine researchers have developed a drug that can remove the proteins that make up the plaque.
The drug was able to detect the APOE protein, a genetic predictor for Alzheimer's, and take the larger amyloid protein with it.
"The anti-amyloid antibodies are going to be binding to most of the molecules that are in the plaque, but the anti-APOE antibody would target just a very small component of the plaque," senior study author Dr David Holtzman told the Daily Mail. Adding, "This means we may find less immune activation, and we might not see the unwelcome side effects."
If the treatment works just as successfully on humans, it could offer more effective and safe key therapy in those whose brains "build up amyloid over many years and...just can't get rid of it," Dr Holtzman he said in the report.
"By removing plaques, if we start early enough, we may be able to stop the changes to the brain that result in forgetfulness, confusion and cognitive decline," he further explained.
