Alzheimer's Society Comments On New Research Suggesting Reducing Fatty Acids In The Brain Could Be A Potential Treatment For Alzheimer's Disease

Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia
Article Date: 22 Oct 2008 - 5:00 PDT

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Removing an enzyme that regulates fatty acid levels improves cognitive deficits in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease, according to new research to be published Nature Neuroscience.

Researchers identified specific fatty acids that may contribute to Alzheimer's as a potential avenue for further investigation. They found that removal or partial reduction of a fatty acid group called PLA2 prevented memory deficits and other behavioural abnormalities related to excess production of the protein amyloid in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease.

Scientists at Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease (GIND) and the University of California conducted the research as part of a large-scale analysis of brain lipids.

Prof Clive Ballard, Director of Research at the Alzheimer's Society, comments on the research,

This robust and exciting research suggests that targeting certain fatty acids in the brain may be a new and innovative target for treating Alzheimer's disease. The researchers identified fatty acids that increase and lead to brain cell death when protein plaques build up in the brains of people with Alzheimer's.

This is a novel and potentially exciting area of research, but it is still at a very early stage. Much more research is needed to see if fatty acids could lead to a treatment for the 415,000 people living with the devastating effects of Alzheimer's disease in the UK.

Reference

Rene O Sanchez-Mejia and John W et al.Phospholipase A2 reduction ameliorates cognitive deficits in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, Nature Neuroscience October 2008.

About Alzheimer's Society

Alzheimer's Society is the leading care and research charity for people with all forms dementia and their carers. It provides information and education, support for carers, and quality day and home care. It funds medical and scientific research and campaigns for improved health and social services and greater public understanding of dementia.

Alzheimer's Society provides a national help line on 0845 3000 336 and website http://www.alzheimers.org.uk. Please include this information in any publication that uses these comments.

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