MS drug may treat Alzheimer’s
MS drug may treat Alzheimer's
A Potential Breakthrough: Multiple Sclerosis Drug Shows Promise in Alzheimer’s Treatment
Millions Suffering: The Quest for an Alzheimer’s Cure
Millions of people worldwide are living with Alzheimer’s disease, a debilitating form of dementia that affects memory and cognition. Unfortunately, there is currently no known cure for this condition, and experts estimate that the number of individuals with Alzheimer’s will nearly double every 20 years. To combat this alarming trend, researchers have been fervently searching for new treatment options.
In an exciting breakthrough, scientists at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine have discovered that a drug commonly used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) could also hold promise as a therapy for Alzheimer’s disease. Their findings, based on research conducted on human brain cells and mouse models of Alzheimer’s, were recently published in the journal eBioMedicine.
Unveiling the Connection: MS and Alzheimer’s
Both multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease are neurological conditions that affect the central nervous system, including the brain. MS is characterized by the body’s immune system mistakenly attacking the brain and spinal cord, leading to inflammation and impaired nerve function. Similarly, Alzheimer’s is associated with inflammation within the brain, which causes damage to neurons and brain cells.
Interestingly, individuals with MS may exhibit cognitive impairment symptoms reminiscent of those seen in Alzheimer’s disease. These shared symptoms include memory loss, learning difficulties, and trouble multitasking. Furthermore, recent studies have indicated that people with MS have a significantly higher risk of developing any type of dementia, with the risk of Alzheimer’s disease being twice as high.
Ponesimod: A Dual Action Drug
The focus of the University of Kentucky study was on a drug called ponesimod, marketed under the brand name Ponvory, which has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Ponesimod inhibits a specific cell signaling pathway responsible for inducing neuroinflammation in MS. Dr. Erhard Bieberich, the study’s lead author, explains that their rationale was that ponesimod would also inhibit neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease.
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The researchers specifically targeted microglia, a type of cell found in the central nervous system that plays a role in regulating inflammatory responses. Dysfunctional microglia have been linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. By using ponesimod to reprogram these microglia, the researchers observed an improvement in their clearance function. This led to a reduction in amyloid plaques, which are known to accumulate and damage neurons in Alzheimer’s disease.
Promising Results in Mouse Models
To test their hypothesis, Dr. Bieberich and his team conducted experiments on mouse models with genetic strains that exhibited the major features of Alzheimer’s disease. Half of the mice were treated with ponesimod, while the other half served as the control group. The mice treated with ponesimod showed better attention span and working memory compared to the non-treated mice.
The researchers also tested their theory on human brain samples, and the data collected from both the mouse models and human brain cells were consistent, further supporting the potential use of ponesimod as an Alzheimer’s therapy. However, Dr. Bieberich cautions that reducing amyloid plaques does not guarantee improved cognition unless confirmed by appropriate tests. The timing and optimal dosage for ponesimod administration in Alzheimer’s disease treatment will be further investigated in future experiments.
Inflammation and Immune Dysfunction: The Common Link
Dr. Santosh Kesari, a neurologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center, emphasized the significance of the study’s findings. He believes that Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative conditions are primarily rooted in inflammation and immune dysfunction in the brain, either as a cause or as promoters of the disease’s symptoms. He acknowledges that inflammation plays a critical role in multiple sclerosis and suggests that drugs targeting inflammation in MS could be repurposed to address Alzheimer’s and other similar diseases.
Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS, and other neurodegenerative diseases may share inflammation as a key component in brain damage, although the levels of inflammation vary. Thus, lessons learned from multiple sclerosis and the drugs used to control inflammation in that condition could potentially be applied to other diseases where inflammation contributes to symptom development.
A Ray of Hope
The discovery that ponesimod, an established MS drug, holds promise in Alzheimer’s treatment represents a significant breakthrough. While further research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits and optimal usage of ponesimod, this study paves the way for future clinical trials exploring its therapeutic effects in Alzheimer’s disease. With continued dedication and innovative approaches like this, a cure for Alzheimer’s may eventually be within reach, bringing hope to millions of individuals and their families worldwide.
