April 22, 2016.
A miracle protein, called IL-33, injected into mice genetically engineered to develop Alzheimer’s-like brain degeneration, saw symptoms subside in less than a week.
Great hope for Alzheimer’s in humans
This discovery gives great hope to the medical profession, because until now, no protocol had succeeded in reducing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s in a patient. We only knew how to stabilize the disease, or slow its progression.
This time, researchers from the University of Glasgow (United Kingdom), however, managed to reduce the disease in mice. These rodents, mammals, share 99% of our genetic heritage, hence the enthusiasm generated by this experience.
IL-33: Soon human trials?
The experiment involved injecting a protein, Il-33, into mice with a rodent version of Alzheimer’s. Now, surprise: after a week, the sick mice were getting better! The symptoms of their degeneration receded within a few days. Only 8%, but in such a short time, it’s a feat.
Better : the researchers studied, of course, the effect of the protein in the brains of sick mice. And they found that the protein protected neuronal cells from amyloid plaques, one of the consequences of Alzheimer’s disease, plaques that gradually destroy the brain. Not only does the protein protect healthy cells, it also prevents plaques from spreading on already affected cells.
Next step: phase 1 of the trials of this protein, on humans. In order to see if IL-33 is toxic, or not, for humans …
Read also: Understanding Alzheimer’s disease
