Enzyme Critical to Stopping Alzheimer's Found

Ohio State University (OSU) investigators found during their latest research that blocking the actions of an enzyme called jnk3 led to a massive drop in the concentration of compounds responsible for a neurodegenerative form of dementia called Alzheimer's disease.

One of the hallmarks of the condition is the beta-amyloid protein, which forms plaques that kill off neurons. In the end, the nerve cell loss is so severe that patients die. In a study conducted on unsuspecting lab mice, experts have managed to achieve a 90 percent drop in beta-amyloid levels.

“These mice are models for the most aggressive form of Alzheimer’s disease and produce the highest amount of A-beta peptides. This 90 percent reduction is the biggest drop in A-beta levels that has been reported so far by treating animal models with drugs or genetic manipulations,” Sung Ok Yoon says.

The OSU expert and his team have published details of their approach in the latest issue of the esteemed journal Neuron, PsychCentral reports.