Scientists working on vaccine that could halve the number of Alzheimer’s cases
SCIENTISTS are working on a vaccine they claim could halve the number of cases of Alzheimer’s disease.
DNA coding in the new jab triggers an immune response which prevents the build up of two toxic proteins that kill brain cells.
In tests on mice it delayed the progression of the incurable disease — which affects up to 850,000 Brits — without causing any nasty side effects.
Previous human trials of other vaccines have caused brain swelling.
But the new jab is injected in the skin — not muscle like earlier drugs — which triggers a different immune response.
The experts reckon the jab could be cheaper than other treatments which currently only control the symptoms.
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Lead researcher Dr Roger Rosenberg, director of the Alzheimer’s Disease Centre at the University of Texas, said: “This study is the culmination of a decade of research that has repeatedly demonstrated that this vaccine can effectively and safely target in animal models what we think may cause Alzheimer’s disease.”
Researcher Dr Doris Lambracht-Washington, of the University of Texas, said: “If the onset of the disease could be delayed by even five years, that would be enormous for the patients and their families. The number of dementia cases could drop by half.”
The Alzheimer’s Society said the jab could be a “significant step” in tackling dementia.
Dr Sara Imarisio, Head of Research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “Vaccinations work by triggering the body’s immune system to arm itself against a potential threat, and have been explored by dementia researchers before in the search for new treatments. This approach has only been tested in mice so far, so it is still early days and scientists will need to further test these vaccines to ensure their safety before they can begin a clinical trial in people.”
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