Researchers have identified a chemical compound that helps prevent plaque formation in the brain and preserves blood flow.
New avenues in the treatment of Alzheimer’s. A team of researchers is trying to prevent blood clots from forming in the brains of patients. They are currently developing a compound that works in this direction, reports a study to appear in the July edition of Nature Reviews Drugs Discovery. Known as RU-505, it would allow patients to regain near-normal blood flow and clotting.
Avoid coagulation and plaques
With a reduced blood supply, neurons function less well. In Alzheimer’s disease, researchers have long suspected that plaques formed by the amyloid beta protein reduce blood flow … and promote clot formation. Suspicions confirmed by research: beta amyloid binds to the coagulating agent fibrinogen. This contributes to memory loss, confusion, and cognitive decline.
A chemical compound is currently being examined under a microscope: RU-505. It would interfere with beta amyloid and prevent the formation of plaques between neurons. But this compound also blocks the interaction between the protein and the coagulating agent, as Sidney Strickland, principal investigator explains: “Our experiments in vitro and in mice have shown that the compound, known as RU-505, helps to restore normal coagulation and blood flow to the brain. But the biggest gain came from behavioral testing on the treated mice, which have better memory than their untreated peers. These results suggest that we have found a new strategy with which to treat Alzheimer’s, ”he explains.
High dose toxic
The treated mice suffered less from chronic inflammation. The blood flow in the brains of the animals was also closer to normal. Placed in a maze, these rodents performed better than their untreated peers: they identified the exit faster and got there sooner, even after training.
However, RU-505 is not a miracle product, emphasizes Sidney Strickland: “Even if the behavior and the brains of sick mice have not fully recovered, the 3-month treatment with RU-505 prevents the greatest part of the decline associated with the disease. The compound is also very toxic at high doses, and causes inflammation of the injection site, even at low doses. Adaptation for humane treatment is underway. But there are two challenges: making RU-505 less toxic, while ensuring that it retains its effectiveness.
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