Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute reports Alzheimer’s breakthrough

Scientists at Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute have made a discovery that could lead to one of the holy grails of medicine – a treatment that can reverse the effects of Alzheimer's disease.

The researchers found that the incremental depletion of the BACE1 enzyme has the effect of reversing the formation of amyloid plaques in mice with Alzheimer's disease, which boosted their cognitive function.

It is the first observed case of preformed amyloid deposition being reversed. 

This happened because BACE1 was less able to produce the amyloid precursor protein (APP) that produces beta-amyloid peptide, a key component of brain plaques.

Details of the research were published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine.

The discovery means drugs targeting this enzyme could be effective in reversing the effects of Alzheimer's, although at present, drugs doing this could have serious side-effects, as APP is not the only protein that would be inhibited.

Expressing optimism that the new discovery could lead to drugs that work more effectively without side-effects, research team leader Riqiang Yan said: "Our data show that BACE1 inhibitors have the potential to treat Alzheimer's disease patients without unwanted toxicity." 

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