Alzheimer’s breakthrough is welcomed
Published: June 11, 2008
A breakthrough in research into Alzheimer’s Disease has been welcomed by those dealing with the condition.
Dr Calum Sutherland and colleagues at Dundee University’s Ninewells Medical School identified an enzyme which partially reverses the development of nerve clumps and tangles in the brains of those with Alzheimer’s.
The enzyme acts on a protein called CRMP2 which plays a key role in the formation of the clumps.
Drugs developed from the discovery could slow down their growth.
Dr Sutherland said: “One of the hardest tasks in Alz-heimer’s research is finding the abnormal biochemical pathways among the cascade of reactions taking place in the healthy brain, and working out how to repair them without causing unwanted side-effects.
“The new work highlights part of the natural process that could be harnessed to fully reverse the abnormal CRMP2 structure.”
Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust which funded Dr Sutherland’s work, said such findings are crucial to understanding the condition.
“A better understanding of the changes that occur in the brain at the onset of Alzheim-er’s, and how the disease progresses, could enable scientists to develop effective treatments for slowing or stopp-ing the disease,” she said.
“With 700,000 people in the UK living with Alzheim-er’s and other dementias, we desperately need to find an effective treatment to help these people.”
The discovery has been welcomed by Alzheimer’s Scotland which supports sufferers and their families.
Gabrielle Colston-Taylor, service manager for the charity in Dundee, said there is some pride that the discovery has been made in the city.
“It’s really exciting that this has happened in Scotland and more so that it’s in Dundee,” she said.
“But with all these things it will take time for it to be turned into a usable medicine for treatment.”
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