Dementia charity urges caution on study findings

A leading dementia charity has urged caution as the medical world absorbs news that a common protein has been found to prevent the development of Alzheimer's disease in mice.

Researchers at the University of South Florida found that a signalling protein released during rheumatoid arthritis dramatically reduced Alzheimer's disease pathology and reversed the memory impairment of mice.

Reacting to the news, Ian Weatherhead, lead nurse with Admiral Nursing Direct at Dementia UK, said that the research was very interesting and further research may develop breakthrough treatments, but there was much more work to be done before this would be possible.

"We must also remember that these are genetically altered mice which are mimicking Alzheimer's symptoms, not true Alzheimer's disease itself, which may throw up quite different complexities," he explained.

There is a precedent of sorts, however, as this particular protein has been used in cancer treatment for some time, Mr Weatherhead notes.

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