Drug 'improves memory' in Alzheimer's
Research has unveiled a new drug which could be used to treat Alzheimer's disease.
A study published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease revealed that oral administration of cystein protease inhibitor E64d reduced the build up of beta amyloid in the brains of animal models.
The treatment was also found to significantly improve the memory deficit, according to the University of California San Diego team.
Heightened amyloid beta levels in the brain are related to the development of memory loss and amyloid plaque - which is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease.
Co-author Gregory Hook said: "The finding is especially exciting because E64d has previously been shown safe for use in humans, so we believe the compound has strong potential as a new therapy for Alzheimer's disease."
In other news, people who are stressed could be increasing their chances of developing Alzheimer's disease, according to research from the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry in Munich.
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