Alzheimer's disease reversed in mice, offering hope for humans, new research shows

"Remarkable" -- that’s how researchers are describing the results of a new study done on mice displaying traits associated with Alzheimer's disease.

The deletion of just a single enzyme saw the near total reversal of the deposition of amyloid plaques found in brains of those with Alzheimer's, improving cognitive functions in the mouse subjects, according to the study from researchers at the Cleveland Clinic, published Feb. 14 in the Journal of Experimental Medicine.

These promising research findings center around deleting a gene that produces an enzyme called BACE1, which helps make the beta-amyloid peptides that accumulate abnormally in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have shown that stopping or reducing that enzyme’s activity dramatically reduces production of beta-amyloid peptides, which are toxic to the brain and lead to the symptoms -- including memory loss -- associated with Alzheimer's.

By using BACE1 inhibitors to gradually lower the enzyme's levels, researchers saw reduced neuron loss and better brain function in the mice, offering hope for human subjects down the line, according to the study.

Alzheimer's disease reversed in mice, offering hope for humans, new research shows Alzheimers-study-cleveland-ho-ps-180215_33x16_992

Alzheimer's disease reversed in mice, offering hope for humans, new research shows Alzheimers-study-cleveland-ho-ps-180215_33x16_992

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/alzheimers-disease-reversed-mice-offering-hope-humans-research/story?id=53114260

Alzheimer's disease reversed in mice, offering hope for humans, new research shows

Alzheimer's disease reversed in mice, offering hope for humans, new research shows

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