Alzheimer's has been reversed in mice after scientists boosted the formation of new brain cells. A gene therapy fuelled neurons in the hippocampus - a region vital for learning and remembering.
The breakthrough could lead to new treatments. The number of dementia cases worldwide will triple to 150 million by 2050. There is no cure. Lead author Professor Orly Lazarov, of the University of Illinois, Chicago, said: "Taken together, our results suggest augmenting neurogenesis may be of therapeutic value."
Experiments have shown the process is impaired in patients and mice with mutations linked to Alzheimer's - particularly in the hippocampus. The US team found increasing production of neurons rescued the lab rodent's defects.
