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Scientists are closer to creating a vaccine for Alzheimer's disease
Svetlana Maslova, Hi-tech+
American scientists have neutralized one of the main genetic risk factors of the disease. Their findings bring science closer to creating not only a cure for Alzheimer's disease, but also a preventive vaccine for the healthy.
Researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (USA) were able to neutralize one of the forms of apolipoprotein E protein called ApoE4. It is considered to be the main risk factor for Alzheimer's disease: ApoE4 contributes to the accumulation of toxic plaques in the patient's brain, causing neurodegenerative lesions. Scientists are sure that its suppression in the human body is the key to creating a vaccine.
Other forms of apolipoprotein E – ApoE2 and ApoE3 – do not have similar toxic properties for the human brain. The exact mechanism of the negative effect of ApoE4 on neurons has not yet been determined, but the team found the most likely and earliest factor, according to the university's website (Research suggests path to vaccine or drug for late-onset Alzheimer's).
Studies show that neuron degeneration is a consequence of the formation of vesicle plugs inside the cell, which occurs due to the loss of solubility of ApoE4. In experiments with mice, scientists have proved that it is possible to eliminate traffic jams, and hence the negative effect of ApoE4 on neurons, by inhibiting the NHE6 protein: it makes them less acidic and seems to dilute.
"Most approaches today are focused on blocking the growth of toxic plaques, that is, already against the background of the development of neurodegeneration of the brain. We plan to influence the process at the very beginning in order to prevent the development of the disease," says researcher Joachim Hertz.
In the future, this will prevent the development of Alzheimer's disease in 50-80% of elderly people carrying ApoE4, as well as create a vaccine for the young, a single use of which will protect health for life, the scientist claims.
The findings of scientists open up really great prospects for the treatment and prevention of a serious disease, especially against the background of recent statements by other researchers that every second woman and every third man is highly likely to develop dementia. There are also successful results in diagnostics: scientists are developing simple tests for the presence of the disease by analyzing blood and saliva.
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