In a mouse study, researchers were able to reverse symptoms of Alzheimer's using a newly created molecular compound.

The Saint Louis team, led by Susan Farr, PhD, a professor of geriatrics at the university, developed a compound called antisense oligonucleotide (OL-1). When tested on mouse models with Alzheimer's disease, they found the compound reversed classic symptoms of the disease - including inflammation and learning and memory deficits.

The researchers explain that OL-1 works by blocking messenger RNA (mRNA) that stimulates the production of excess amyloid-beta protein, which can lead to the development of amyloid-beta plaques - a hallmark of Alzheimer's.

In detail, the compound was able to reduce the overexpression of the amyloid-beta protein precursor gene, which regulates the amount of amyloid-beta protein present in the body.

To reach their findings, recently published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, the team tested OL-1 on genetically engineered mice that overproduced a "mutant" form of the human amyloid-beta protein precursor gene.

They note that in a previous study, they had tested the compound on mice that naturally overproduced mouse amyloid-beta. Although this study was successful, the team wanted to test the compound on a human form of the gene to see if it was just as effective.

This is the latest in a line of studies to look into potential treatments for Alzheimer's Disease.....