New hope for reversal of Alzheimer’s
A groundbreaking treatment has helped mice restore their memory loss and is undergoing further trials.
Scientists have made an exciting discovery that could one day transform how we treat Alzheimer’s disease.
A compound called P7C3-A20 has shown remarkable results in reversing memory loss and brain damage in mice with advanced Alzheimer’s-like symptoms.
In the study, older mice with severe memory problems were given P7C3-A20 for six months. By the end of the treatment, these mice could remember and learn almost as well as healthy mice. Even more impressive, their brains showed signs of repair, with better blood flow, reduced inflammation, and stronger connections between brain cells.
Neuroscientist and psychiatrist, Andrew Pieper, from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, said he and other researchers are “very excited and encouraged by our results”.
So, how does it work? Alzheimer’s disease is linked to a drop in a vital molecule called NAD+, which helps brain cells produce energy and stay healthy.
P7C3-A20 boosts NAD+ levels, giving brain cells the energy they need to survive and function. This approach is different from traditional treatments that focus only on removing plaques or tangles in the brain. Instead, it helps the brain heal itself.
Researchers also looked at human brain tissue and found similar NAD+ problems in people with Alzheimer’s. This means the treatment could potentially work in humans too.
However, it’s important to note that P7C3-A20 is still in the early stages of research. No human trials have started yet, but plans are underway.
Why is this so exciting? For decades, Alzheimer’s treatments have mostly aimed at slowing the disease, not reversing it.
If P7C3-A20 works in people as it does in mice, it could offer real hope for restoring memory and independence, even in later stages of the disease.
Clinical trials will take time, and researchers must ensure the treatment is safe and effective for humans. But this discovery marks a big step forward and gives us reason to be optimistic.
For now, the best advice remains the same: stay active, eat well, and keep your brain engaged.
But keep an eye on this research, too.
“The key takeaway is a message of hope,” Dr Pieper said. “The effects of Alzheimer’s disease may not be inevitably permanent.
“The damaged brain can, under some conditions, repair itself and regain function.”
Related reading: Science Alert, National Library of Medicine, Science Direct
PHOTO BY MATTHEW BECKER - www.melodicrockconcerts.com - matt@melodicrockconcerts.com / Weatherman90 at en.wikipedia
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