Antibodies to Prevent Alzheimer's [Part 1]

Antibodies to Prevent Alzheimer's - By the time most people visit a doctor to complain of memory problems and cognitive decline are serious, experts say their brains are most likely already filled with beta-amyloid protein deposits.

Plaque is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, a progressive decline in brain function that ultimately lead to disability and death. Alzheimer's Disease International Organization in 2010 estimated 35.6 million people worldwide suffer from various forms of dementia, including Alzheimer's.

The pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly researchers reported that their experimental antibody therapy attached plaque and sweep really existing plaques in Alzheimer's mice. New antibodies they are part of a trend called immunotherapy in which the immune system proteins, or antibodies, can be engineered to target and disable specific molecules that cause disease.

On the decline in neurological function of pharmaceutical companies, the Ronald DeMattos researching new therapies to treat and prevent Alzheimer's disease. "What we can show is treatment with a highly specific antibody to attach these patches. We were able to throw a clot or plaque that already exists, "said Ronald DeMattos.

In a healthy brain, beta-amyloid protein should be processed and disposed of the body. However, in people with Alzheimer's disease, the protein accumulates and forms plaques that harden.

The researchers theorize that beta amyloid is a water-soluble coating existing plaques, thus undermining efforts to eliminate the buildup of therapy.

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