Millions of people worldwide suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive memory disorder that occurs as a result of the accumulation of tau protein in brain cells. Successful struggle with the terrible disease is a priority of modern medicine. Scientists from the University of New Mexico have developed and conducted the first animal tests that showed a positive result in the fight against the development of the disease.
As a result of Alzheimer’s disease, there occurs deterioration of short-term and long-term memory, there is a decrease in cognitive functions, loss of orientation in space, and impaired speech. A person becomes helpless and requires constant care and supervision. As the main cause of Alzheimer’s disease, modern medicine has identified an excessive accumulation of tau protein, blocking the transport system within neurons and subsequently causing depletion of the nervous system. Another cause of the disease is the accumulation of beta-amyloids – proteins that form plaques between neurons and disrupt the normal functioning of cells.
Specialists from New Mexico note that the vaccine created in their laboratory reduces the ability to accumulate tau protein and thus reduces the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Vaccination against the terrible disease was tested on mice. During the experiment, the researchers found that vaccinated mice showed better results in labyrinth tests than other mice that had not received the experimental drug.
The accumulation of tau protein in the cerebral cortex of mice vaccinated with an experimental drug was significantly lower than that of ordinary animals. However, the most striking thing is that the “infected” cells of mice began to produce antibodies that cleanse the body of excess tau protein.
The tests are at a very early stage, so it’s still extremely early to talk about drugs for treating Alzheimer’s in humans now.
