Neuroreceptor mapping to improve Alzheimer's treatment?

Scientists have successfully mapped a human neuroreceptor in a development which they believe could help to treat individuals with Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia.

A team of researchers from the University of California created the world's first high-resolution images of the Alpha 7 receptor.

This molecule is believed to play a large part in sections of the brain linked to memory and learning - key regions when it comes to Alzheimer's disease, according to the research published in journal Nature Neuroscience.

The map will allow scientists to directly interact with the receptor when developing pharmaceuticals, indicating that better medications for conditions such as Alzheimer's can be developed.

Corresponding author Lin Chen commented: "A lot of interest in this work will come from pharmaceutical companies.

"They really have no clear picture of this. They don't know how or why [their drugs] work."

In other news, doctors may be able to identify people with Alzheimer's disease through just a ten minute memory test.

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