Scientists discover chemical that breaks down Alzheimer's plaques in mice

[HuckleB]

http://www.sciencealert.com/korean-scientists-discover-chemical-that-breaks-down-alzheimer-s-plaques-in-mice

"One of the hypothesised causes of the mental deterioration associated with Alzheimer's disease is amyloid beta – a sticky protein that congregates on surfaces in the brain, forming hardened plaques and impeding neural communication.

But there's new hope that these plaques can be removed after they've formed, with a study by researchers at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology discovering a chemical that can break amyloid plaques down in the brains of mice, improving the animals' learning and memory functions.

The chemical, called EPPS, is similar to taurine, which is used in energy drinks like Red Bull. When it was added to the drinking water of mice that showed symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (after having had their brains injected with amyloid plaques), the animals demonstrated better performance in maze and behavioural tests in contrast to untreated mice in a control group.

After seeing how the mice performed in tests, the researchers sectioned and stained their brains to help visualise the presence of amyloid beta plaques. They found that adding EPPS to the mice's daily drinking water had significantly reduced the levels of amyloid beta plaques in the mouse brains and substantially eliminated the formations at high doses.

..."


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[valerief]

1. Is this a Red Bull is good for your health article like all the red wine is good for your health

articles?

[HuckleB]

2. Well, it is a mice study, so probably not.

But, the sugar and the caffeine can't be all bad, right?

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. Wonderful news, my dear HuckleB!

Thanks for bringing it to us.

I hope further research will bear this out.

[HuckleB]

5. Indeed.

Have to keep trying new roads.

[Hekate]

4. Since of all the things I've lost I miss my mind the most, this is encouraging news!