New Hope for Alzheimer's Patients

New research suggests that Alzheimer's Disease may be reversible if discovered and treated in an early enough stage. A new theory is emerging from multiple research laboratories around the world that refines the beta-amyloid theory that has dominated Alzheimer's research since the 1980s.

If the new theory proves correct, immunotherapy and antibody targeting of beta-amyloid proteins in the early stages of the disease could stop Alzheimer's in its tracks. It is hoped that the new theory will lead to the development of drug protocols that will alter and even arrest the disease process, not merely treat its symptoms. Alzheimer's Disease affects 5.1 million Americans, a figure that is projected to reach 7.7 million by 2030.

The new theory is based on recent findings on the behavior and nature of oligomers. Oligomers are early-stage beta-amyloid proteins. Research indicates that oligomers prevent people from forming new memories.

"It's like a hormone from the dark side that blocks the biochemistry of memory," explains William Klein, professor of neurobiology and physiology at Northwestern University's Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center.

For years researchers thought that oligomers caused brain cells to die. New research seems to indicate that it is the oligomers themselves that are toxic. In the past month researchers have discovered naturally occurring antibodies in human blood that selectively target oligomers. This suggests that Alzheimer's may be an immune deficiency disorder and that it may be possible to defend the body against Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative disorders that cause dementia.