Molecular Knock-Out Alleviates Alzheimer's Symptoms in Mice

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/11/121130121600.htm
Researches in the department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the University Medical Center Gottingen and investigated mice that showed behavioral disorders and brain deposits that are typically associated with Alzheimer's disease. They removed genes responsible for the HDAC6 enzyme. The mice exhibited the pathological features of Alzheimer's disease, but removal of these genes improved their behavior. The mice were had a better grasp on being able to find and learn their spatial bearings while having normal cognitive abilities. This behavior happened because transport processes within nerve cells are facilitated when HDAC6 is not around.  Cell transport becomes functional with the removal of this gene. This gene is a possible target for therapies against Alzheimer's, but in humans, there would need to be a treatment to disable the enzyme.  The goal is to figure out what treatment or drug is necessary to disable HDAC6.

I believe this is such a huge step in Alzeimer's Research.  For so long, there has been no known cure for Alzheimer's and I think it is really cool that they have finally linked this awful disease to a gene and enzyme.  My grandfather has Alzeimer's and to know that if he continues to battle it that in the near future there might be some hope for him.  I would love to know the research they do on the further treatment and what their plans for that are. I would also love to see the results and what they come up with in finding a blocker on this enzyme.