January 12, 2001 – According to research on transgenic mice that develop Alzheimer’s disease, a vaccine may decrease the formation of the amyloid plaques characteristic of the disease. The “vaccine” works by allowing the immune system to attack the beta-amyloid peptide that forms the plaques found in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Research showed that “vaccinated” mice did almost as well as healthy mice and significantly better than unvaccinated mice when subjected to a learning and memory test.
Preliminary research was undertaken in humans in July 2000 to verify the safety of the vaccine. It is not yet known whether the vaccine will improve cognitive performance in people with Alzheimer’s disease, but preliminary research has shown that it is safe.
HealthPassport.net
According to Associated Press, December 20, 2000
Morgan D, Diamond DM, Gottschall PE, Ugen KE, Dickey C, Hardy J, Duff K, Jantzen P, DiCarlo G, Wilcock D, Connor K, Hatcher J, Hope C, Gordon M, Arendash GW. A beta peptide vaccination prevents memory loss in an animal model of Alzheimer’s disease. Nature. 2000 Dec 21-28; 408 (6815): 982-5
