Breakthrough Study Discovers Naturally Occurring Molecule That Can Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease

With an estimated 24 million people worldwide suffering from Alzheimer’s, this disease is one of the most formidable in the world today. While research into the causes of and potential therapies for Alzheimer’s is ongoing, a breaking new study has shown some incredibly promising results.

The Cambridge University Study, published in the journal Nature Structural And Molecular Biology, focuses on a naturally-occurring “molecular chaperone” that can inhibit the early development of Alzheimer’s disease.

“This is the starting point for finding a drug that stops Alzheimer’s disease in it’s tracks,” lead study author Dr. Samuel Cohen said in an interview with the Daily Mail.

The first of its kind, the study explored the ability of molecules of Brichos, a naturally-occurring family of proteins found in human lungs, to interrupt and slow the process of the formation of plaques in the brain.

See also: preventing Alzheimer’s

Researchers on the study believe that there may be other molecules with similar effects, but until now, researchers weren’t sure what to look for or where.

 

“A good tactic now is to search for other molecules that have this same highly targeted effect and to see if these can be used as the starting point for developing a future therapy,” says Cohen.

While there is no means yet of applying this knowledge to Alzheimer’s therapies for humans, many are already concerned about the involved of pharmaceutical industries, especially given the history of pharmaceutical companies profiting off restricted access to important medicines.

 

sources:

• http://www.nature.com/nsmb/journal/v22/n3/full/nsmb.2971.html
• http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2955976/Alzheimer-s-breakthrough-scientists-discover-stop- disease-earliest-stages-paving-way-statin-like-drug.html
• http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/molecular-inhibitor-breaks-cycle-that-leads-to-alzheimers
• http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/13/us/the-soaring-cost-of-a-simple-breath.html?_r=2&
  

Originally posted 2015-03-13 19:50:54.

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