Medical insurance news - Destructive Alzheimer's plaques 'rapidly cleared'

Researchers testing a cancer drug on mice claim to have rapidly cleared destructive plaques found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients.

The US study, which was published in the journal Science, reported the plaques were broken down at "unprecedented" speed, as well as showing some improvement in brain function.

Specialists said the results were promising but warned that successful drugs in mice may not necessarily work in people so further tests need to undertaken.

The exact cause of Alzheimer's remains unknown, however, one of the leading theories involves the formation of clumps of a protein called beta-amyloid, which damage and kill brain cells. This eventually results in memory problems and the inability to think clearly.

Clearing protein plaques is a major focus of research to do with the condition and drugs are already being tested in human clinical trials.

Scientists at the Case Western Reserve University in Ohio were attempting to investigate ways of boosting levels of ApoE, which should reduce the levels of beta-amyloid.

They tested bexarotene, which has been approved for use to treat cancers in the skin on mice with an illness similar to Alzheimer's. After one dose in mice the levels of beta-amyloid in the brain were lowered within six hours and a 25 per cent sustained for 70 hours.

One of the researchers Paige Cramer said this is an unprecedented finding as previously the best existing treatment for Alzheimer's disease in mice required seven months to reduce plaque.

Fellow researcher professor Gary Landreth added: "We need to be clear, the drug works quite well in mouse models of the disease. Our next objective is to ascertain if it acts similarly in humans."

Professor of neuroscience at Lancaster University David Allsop said the results should be treated with cautious optimism.

A study recently suggested that a diet rich in vitamins and fish may protect the brain from ageing as quickly.