New study reveals enzyme with potential Alzheimer’s treatment applications

A team from the US has identified a means of using gene therapy to combat Alzheimer's disease through the manipulation of a key enzyme.

Scientists at St Jude Children's Research Hospital have found a way to increase activity of the enzyme neuraminidase 1 (NEU1) in a region of the brain involved in learning and memory.

By doing so, they were able to halt the build-up of toxic protein fragments known as plaques in the brains of mice with Alzheimer's disease. It is hoped that this technique could even reverse this process, making it a potentially valuable means of fighting Alzheimer's and other similar neurodegenerative disorders.

Dr Alessandra d'Azzo, a member in the St Jude department of genetics, said: "These results suggest that not only is NEU1 deficiency a risk factor for developing Alzheimer's disease, but that this enzyme could be used to slow or even reverse the disease process."

This comes after a study from Brown University and Banner Alzheimer's Institute last week revealed that brain imaging could be used to assess genetic differences in children who are at greater risk of contracting Alzheimer's disease later in life.