Newly Identified Antibodies Effectively Treat Alzheimer's-Like Disease in Mice

As an individual with a relatively strong family history of dementia, I am always interested in advancements in treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.  The article I found discusses new research in mice, conducted by scientists at the Washington University in St. Louis, and seems to provide hopeful results for the future of Alzheimer’s treatment. Alzheimer’s, along with most forms of dementia, is caused by a build-up of proteins in the brain, one of which is the tau protein. The researchers at WUSTL were able to identify an antibody that prevents the aggregation and tangling of these tau proteins in the brain. The anti-tau antibody significantly reduced the build-up of the proteins, thus improving the cognitive function of mice who were suffering from the rodent version of Alzheimer’s called frontotemporal dementia. After screening various antibodies in order to determine which would block the tau proteins, the team then infused three antibodies directly into the brain. This process was repeated over a period of three months, and the results left the researches optimistic about the potential for success as a treatment in human patients.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130926123326.htm