A Hopeful Alzheimer’s Cure

Dr. Dan Frenkel “Using part of a drug that was previously tested as an influenza drug, we've managed to successfully induce an immune response against amyloid proteins [associated with Alzheimer’s] in the blood vessels,” says TAU’s Dr. Dan Frenkel. “In early pre-clinical studies, we've found it can prevent both brain tissue damage and restore cognitive impairment.”

Modifying a vaccine technology owned by multinational drug company GlaxoSmithKline, this new therapeutic approach activates a natural mechanism that fights against vascular damage in the brain. As Frenkel explains it, the vaccine activates large numbers of macrophages, large proteins that “swallow” foreign antigens and essentially clear out the damaging build-up of waxy amyloid proteins in an affected brain's vascular system.

Research using mice showed that once these waxy proteins are swept away, further damage can be prevented, and existing damage due to a previous stroke can be repaired. So far, the vaccine has shown no signs of toxicity.

Could the breakthrough lead to both a vaccine and a long-sought cure for Alzheimer's disease? “It appears that this could be the case,” says Frenkel. “We've found a way to use the immune response stimulated by this drug to prevent hemorrhagic strokes, which lead to permanent brain damage.” MRI screenings also confirmed that the vaccine prevented further vascular damage—which is significant, because vascular dementia is found in 80% of all people with Alzheimer's.

The vaccine could be given to people who are at risk, those who show very early symptoms of these diseases and those who have already suffered strokes to repair any vascular damage. For more information: dfrenkel@post.tau.ac.il