Protein treatment reduces effect of Alzheimer's in fruit flies

Scientists have been able to reverse the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease in fruit flies, a new study claims.

American scientists claim to have reversed Alzheimer's-like memory loss in the brains of fruit flies, according to an article in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal.

The American study blocked the signalling activity of a protein, PI3 kinase, which was previously thought to protect against the disease.

"Our work suggests that the fragments of beta-amyloid associated with Alzheimer's disease directly increase the activity of PI3 kinase, which in turn causes memory loss and increases the accumulation of plaque in the brain," said the research team leader Professor Yi Zhong.

The beta-amyloid slows the transmission of signals between brain nerve cells for extended periods of time, causing memory loss, the study claims.

Professor Zhong is now hopeful that some symptoms of Alzheimer's disease may be treated by targeting the PI3 kinase protein.

According to the Alzheimer's Research Trust, there are 820,000 people in the UK living with dementia, with Alzheimer's accounting for two-thirds of cases among the elderly.

Find out more about Alzheimer's disease care at Barchester homes.