A drug that destroys dementia-causing proteins has been developed by scientists. In mice, it cleared them from the brain - offering hope of reversing age-related cognitive decline. The compound opens the door to treating or even preventing neurodegenerative diseases.
It rejuvenates immune cells surrounding grey and white matter. They sweep out waste - but slow up in people and rodents with Alzheimer's. Senior author Professor Jonathan Kipnis, of Washington University in St Louis, said: "Alzheimer's has been studied for many years from the perspective of how neurons die. But there are other cells, such as immune cells on the periphery of the brain, that also may play a role. It doesn't look likely we will be able to revive dead or dying neurons.
"But the immune cells that sit on the borders of the brain are a feasible target for treating age-related brain diseases. They're more accessible, and could be drugged or replaced. In this study, we treated aged mice with a molecule that can activate aged immune cells.
