A research team that includes scientists from Riken has reported significant progress in Alzheimer’s disease research after successfully improving cognitive function in laboratory mice using an experimental gene-based treatment.
The findings, published in an international scientific journal, suggested the treatment not only improved memory and learning ability in mice with Alzheimer’s disease but also reduced levels of amyloid beta — a protein widely regarded as one of the hallmarks of the disease.
Researchers said the results could eventually pave the way for new therapies capable of improving symptoms, rather than merely slowing disease progression as most existing treatments currently do.
The team focused on two genes: one that is highly active during the embryonic stage of mice and another whose activity increases in ageing neural stem cells. Scientists developed an artificial gene designed to activate the embryonic gene while simultaneously suppressing the ageing-related gene in neural cells.
To test the approach, researchers injected the artificial gene into the brains of mice with Alzheimer’s disease and compared their performance in maze-based cognitive tests with untreated mice.
According to the study, mice that received the treatment reached the maze’s goal more quickly and traveled shorter distances, indicating improved cognitive ability and short-term memory function.
Further examination of brain tissue revealed signs of neuronal rejuvenation in treated mice. Researchers also found that amyloid beta levels declined by roughly 50% within 12 weeks after treatment.
Ryuichiro Kageyama, who led the research team, said the group hoped to accelerate development of the therapy for future clinical use.
“We aim to advance our research so that we can administer this to patients within five years,” he said.
Commenting on the findings, Takashi Saito, a professor of neuropathology at the University of Tokyo, described the results as highly encouraging.
“The improvement in cognitive function was a surprising result,” Saito said. “If the mechanism behind the reduction of amyloid beta can be fully understood and safely applied to the human brain, this could become a groundbreaking treatment in the future.”
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and affects millions of people worldwide, with scientists continuing to search for more effective long-term treatments and potential cures.
Source: Japan News (YS)
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
