Gene-Based Vaccines May Fight Alzheimer's: They slowed brain plaque build-up in mice, but success in humans will be real test, experts say

Source: HealthDay News
Posted: June 12, 2006

Summary:

MONDAY, June 12 (HealthDay News) -- In what might prove a breakthrough against Alzheimer's disease, Japanese researchers have created a new gene-based vaccine that effectively treated mice with an animal form of the brain-robbing illness.

The new vaccine may be an important advance because it avoids side effects seen in other vaccines, according to Dr. Yoh Matsumoto, whose team developed and tested the vaccine at the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Neuroscience.

Researchers hope that DNA vaccines will someday be used to prevent Alzheimer's disease in high-risk patients and treat both early and advanced disease.

Commentary: Hopefully this finding will lead to a vaccine that prevents the build up of plaque that destroys brain cells, a hallmark symptom of Alzheimers Disease, and prove effective in a diverse Alzheimer's patient population.