A potential new Alzheimer's vaccine may be possible thanks to a developer's first-hand experience of Alzheimer's care.
Scott Webster, a graduate student working at Georgia Health Sciences University, told of the "heartbreaking" and "devastating" process of watching people care for a close friend suffering with the disease.
His research uses a more encompassing approach than previous vaccines have attempted. Like past remedies Mr Webster's work targets amyloid proteins - the substance that blocks the nerve cells - but crucially the new drug also inhibits the molecule that positions the amyloid.
Results show that the vaccine halts over-production of amyloid and averts the build up of protein that causes the disease.
The Alzheimer's Society states there is no cure for most forms of dementia. Currently drugs focus upon temporarily improving some of the associated symptoms of Alzheimer's.
Mr Webster is cautious about the future of his research but he hopes any eventual vaccine will have few side effects due to it being absorbed in the digestive process.
© Adfero Ltd
Alzheimer's treatment news : 2 October 2011
