Alzheimer's vaccine 'promising'

Source: BBC News
Posted: June 12, 2006

Summary:

A potential DNA vaccine for Alzheimer's disease has produced promising results in mice. In tests, it helped cut levels of key amyloid proteins thought to cause the disease by up to 50% in some parts of the brain. And unlike alternative vaccines in development, which use viruses, it produced no side effects.

In tests, the latest vaccine reduced the deposition of amyloid proteins by between 15.5% and 38.5% compared with untreated mice. Deposition in specific areas of the brain - the cerebral cortex and hippocampus - was reduced 40%-50%. The researchers suggest that DNA vaccines of the type they have produced could provide a cheap and effective strategy for treating Alzheimer's in future.

Commentary: Hopefully a vaccine for Alzheimer's Disease in humans will have positive outcomes in clinical trials, and successfully treat or prevent the onset of the disease in a genetically diverse patient population.