This Science News Wire page contains a press release issued by an organization and is provided to you "as is" with little or no review from Science X staff.

Study finds plaque-blocking compound that may aid Alzheimer's treatment

March 18th, 2011

Researchers with the Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND) have discovered how a novel compound can reduce the accumulation of brain plaques seen in Alzheimer's disease without the side effects produced by any current drugs used for the chronic neurodegenerative disease.

In a study published online in the Annals of Neurology, neurobiologists Kim Green and Frank LaFerla found that the ST101 compound triggers a process which carves up amyloid precursor proteins into benign molecules. These precursor proteins, when intact, ultimately can form into beta-amyloid plaques, which are the hallmark lesions of Alzheimer's and believed to be the primary cause of dementia caused by the disease. The researchers believe that ST101 has the potential to be used as the basis of a drug therapy for people who have mild Alzheimer's symptoms.

Provided by UC Irvine

Citation: Study finds plaque-blocking compound that may aid Alzheimer's treatment (2011, March 18) retrieved 14 August 2026 from https://sciencex.com/wire-news/61890594/study-finds-plaque-blocking-compound-that-may-aid-alzheimers-tre.html

This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.