'Critical junction' could yield new treatment for Alzheimer's

The identification of a critical junction in the brain could lead to new treatments for Alzheimer's disease, according to a recent study.

Researchers have found an area considered to be the doorway to the hippocampus, which is key for transforming daily experiences into lasting memories.

The hippocampus is the source of the learning capacity in humans, allowing people to remember vital information.

It is believed that by stimulating the entorhinal cortex with electrical impulses memory can be strengthened, providing a solution for symptoms experienced by those with Alzheimer's disease.

The discovery was made when observing seven epilepsy patients who had electrodes implanted in their brain to locate the origin of their seizures.

When monitoring the electrodes it was found that when nerve fibres where stimulated in patients, landmarks could be identified.

A spokesperson from the Alzheimer's Society commented: "We still don't know exactly what happens in the brains of people with Alzheimer's to cause symptoms such as memory problems.

"Research which could broaden our knowledge of this is therefore essential."

However, the Alzheimer's Society warns that more research is needed in a larger and more targeted study before scientists can begin to develop an effective treatment.

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