A new study is showing very promising results in the treatment of the progressive mental deterioration condition known as Alzheimer’s disease.
An experimental new drug appears to work against the degeneration of the mind by preventing inflammation and removing abnormal protein clumps in the brain.
The irregular protein clusters, called amyloid plaques, along with tangled bundles of fibers, are known to cause inflammation and damage to neurons in the brain, which in turn leads to memory loss, dementia and confusion.
But the new drug, referred to as NTRX-07, has so far appeared to simultaneously decrease such inflammation, while preserving both the brain’s neurons and regenerative cells.
“NTRX-07 uses a different mechanism than many other Alzheimer’s drugs currently available, as it targets the cause of the disease, not just the symptoms,” says lead researcher, Mohamed Naguib of the Department of General Anaesthesiology at the Cleveland Clinic.
Memory improvement came as a promising result of the study.
Funnily enough, the researchers discovered the drug’s incredible capabilities against Alzheimer’s while looking into its potential to treat a difficult, chronic pain condition known as neuropathic pain.
“Patients who have neuropathic pain have chronic neuroinflammation,” said Dr. Naguib. “This is a compound that blunts that inflammation.”
The researches anticipate initiating the human clinical studies in 2017.
What makes the new drug so revolutionary is that it seemingly has the ability to reverse the effects of Alzheimer’s by removing these protein clusters and preventing further deterioration to brain tissue, resulting in improved memory function and cognitive performance.
And what’s more, increased levels of a protein called SOX2 resulted from the drug, which helps new brain cells to develop, protecting the organ further.
This is a step in the right medical direction that we hope comes to fruition…
