Alzheimer’s wonder pill could REVERSE devastating effects of the crippling disease

Breakthrough tests have shown it is possible to destroy the build up of toxic plaques

A WONDER pill to reverse the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s is in sight, scientists claimed last night.

Breakthrough tests have shown it is possible to destroy the build up of toxic plaques that are a hallmark of the disease.

The huge leap forward in Alzheimer’s studies has prompted respected researchers to suggest it is only a matter of time before the incurable disease is beaten.

Experts said “promising” findings, published today, could lead to the first effective treatment to stop the condition in its tracks.

World-first tests showed a drug can be added to water to dissolve clumps of amyloid. It appears to make them soluble so they can be easily cleared away.

Crucially the drug EPPS appears to break down plaques in the brain after they have already formed, potentially presenting a way to circumvent the almost-impossible decision of when to start treatment.

Experts consider the discovery significant because it could provide the first pre-diagnosis treatment for Alzheimer’s, effectively providing a therapy before clinical symptoms appear.

It is also a huge a boost for those at risk from inherited forms of dementia, a condition that will affect 2million in the UK by 2050. Two thirds will be women.

Neuroscientist Dr Frances Edwards, of University College London, said: “If we could catch Alzheimer’s before this occurred, such an amyloid-removing drug might stop it in its tracks.

“The clearing of the amyloid is impressive and if it can be repeated in other models it may well reflect what would happen in people with Alzheimer’s disease.

“Many more tests need to be done, but for people with the rare inherited forms where Alzheimer’s can be predicted long in advance, this could be a very interesting drug indeed.”

 

Experts said the findings could lead to the first effective treatment

The clearing of the amyloid is impressive and if it can be repeated in other models it may well reflect what would happen in people with Alzheimer’s disease

Neuroscientist Dr Frances Edwards, of University College London

Scientists at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology who added the molecule to the drinking water of mice with symptoms of the disease found harmful protein deposits in their brains were broken down.
The animals, genetically engineered to develop symptoms of the disease, also showed improvements in memory and learning.
Crucially, the research indicated EPPS can be orally ingested and is not toxic.
Amyloid accumulation - sticky fragments of protein that clump together in the brain - is one of the first changes in those struck down with the disease.
It leads to the formation of toxic tangles that injure nerve cells, triggering a devastating chain of events.
They are found in the brains of all deceased patients, but appear to pre-date the onset of memory loss and other symptoms in humans.

Dementia will affect 2 million in the UK by 2050

Scientists found the drug broke down the plaques in the animals’ brains and appeared to be non-toxic.
Unlike many drugs, EPPS was able to penetrate the “blood-brain barrier” - a natural “firewall” protecting the brain against potentially harmful substances.
The fact the treatment improved learning and memory in the mice was evidence amyloid beta is a cause of the disease rather than an effect, they said.
Professor Christian Hölscher, a leading British Alzheimer’s researcher, said: “There is a great need for new treatments.
"The results published by this research team are promising, but need to be confirmed in human trials.

 

"Mice studies are an indication of the potential of a novel drug, but we have seen from past studies that there is no guarantee it works in humans as well. I wish them all the best.”

The race for a cure comes as figures show Britain is already in the grip of a dementia epidemic with a new case diagnosed every three minutes. 

It already affects 850,000 people in the UK and costs £26bn a year to treat. It is caused by diseases, most commonly Alzheimer’s, resulting in the loss of brain cells, which impair mental function.

Alzheimer’s commonly occurs in those over the age of 65 and its calling card is the rapid deterioration of behaviour, language skills and personality.

Telltale symptoms include memory loss, confused thinking and difficulty with speech. It is progressive, meaning it worsens over time.

  

Amyloid accumulation is one of the first changes in those struck down with the disease

Researchers say some of the early changes associated with Alzheimer’s can occur 10-15 years before symptoms appear.

Dr Simon Ridley, Director of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “With no new treatments for Alzheimer’s licensed since 2002 we urgently need to capitalise on promising early science to make sure it’s progressed as quickly as possible towards clinical testing.”

James Pickett, of Alzheimer’s Society, added: “We are working to increase our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease all the time and there are already a number of drugs in clinical testing that are targeted against amyloid.

"We hope new findings will one day translate into real treatments for people living with dementia.”

The findings are published in the journal Nature Communications.