A protein called IL-33 may provide a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, Scottish researchers reported today.
Experiments in a laboratory mouse model have proved promising, according to a report published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The Glasgow University researchers worked with Hong Kong University of Science and Technology on the project.
Researcher Professor Eddy Liew said IL-33 was "particularly abundant" in the central nervous system.
The research showed that injecting the protein into mice with an Alzheimer’s like pathology led to rapid improvements in memory and cognitive function.
The study showed the protein seem to reduce the number and size of amyloid plaques in the brain, using an enzyme called neprilysin.
Professor Liew said: "The relevance of this finding to human Alzheimer’s is at present unclear. But there are encouraging hints.
"For example, previous genetic studies have shown an association between IL-33 mutations and Alzheimer’s disease in European and Chinese populations.
"Furthermore, the brain of patients with Alzheimer’s disease contains less IL-33 than the brain from non-Alzheimer’s patients.
“Exciting as it is, there is some distance between laboratory findings and clinical applications."
He added: "There have been enough false ‘breakthroughs’ in the medical field to caution us not to hold our breath until rigorous clinical trials have been done."
IL-33 ameliorates Alzheimer’s disease-like pathology and cognitive decline. PNAS 18 April 2016
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