A recent experimental approach using modified immune T cells showed improvements in learning and memory for mice modeling Alzheimer’s disease. The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) and published in Molecular Neurodegeneration. Source: UNMC.
In Alzheimer’s disease, clusters of amyloid beta protein accumulate in the brain, disrupting the communication between nerve cells. This disruption is believed by many researchers to contribute to progressive memory loss and behavioral changes associated with the condition. Source: UNMC.
In the new study, researchers engineered the animals’ T cells and then injected them into the bloodstream. This modification reduced the formation of beta-amyloid aggregates and dampened brain inflammation, while simultaneously supporting improvements in the mice’s cognitive performance. Source: UNMC.
The team plans to explore ways to boost the delivery of these immune cells to brain regions most affected by Alzheimer’s disease. The next phase involves evaluating the approach in human subjects to determine its potential applicability and safety. Source: UNMC.
Earlier studies raised questions about strategies to lower dementia risk and slow progression, underscoring the ongoing search for therapies that target the disease mechanism at its root. Source: UNMC.