New immune research reveals potential Alzheimer’s treatment avenue

A team from the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and the University of Bonn have uncovered a potential new means of treating Alzheimer's disease by cutting off a specific immune response.

The scientists have identified a key complex named NLRP3 inflammasome, which is composed of several proteins and plays a key role in the immune system, but can also damage nerve cells among sufferers of the neurodegenerative disease.

By removing the genes that trigger production of the NLRP3 inflammasome among mice, it was shown that the impact of Alzheimer's could be limited, including a reduction in the number of damaging plaques on the brain.

It is hoped that clinically-developed pharmaceuticals might be able to stop a chain reaction that would otherwise result in the inflammation of brain cells through these means.

Professor Michael Heneka, who conducts research at both of the involved institutions, said: "At present various options are being pursued to act upon the course of the disease. Our results points to a new possibility. Nevertheless, we are still in the process of doing basic research."

Figures from the World Health Organization indicate that more than 35 million people worldwide are now living with Alzheimer's disease, which is the most common form of dementia.