Queensland scientists have discovered a new treatment that could help restore memory loss for people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
The process uses ultrasound technology to help clear a plaque that builds up in the brain of Alzheimer’s sufferers.
Researchers at the University of Queensland’s Brain Institute (QBI) trialled the technique on genetically engineered mice and found it restored their memory function to the same level as healthy mice.
PhD student Gerhard Leinenga, who had been working on the project for the past three years, said he was surprised at how much the mice improved in memory tests and was hopeful for future therapeutic treatment in humans.
“Definitely if we can improve the functioning in daily life and delay the progression of the disease, then it will have a huge benefit not just to the patients but to their families and carers,” he said.
In Alzheimer’s sufferers, a plaque of the toxic protein amyloid beta builds up within the blood-brain barrier.
Mr Leinenga said they used ultrasound therapy combined with micro-bubbles to temporarily open the blood-brain barrier and clear the amyloid beta.
“In the Alzheimer’s brain it’s a toxic environment … because there’s this build up of amyloid beta peptide in their brains so when it’s removed in mice, as we show, their memory improves,” he said.
“But in humans it’s more difficult because the human brain is more complex and the human cognition is more complex.
“It’s a bit more difficult to say, but certainly we envisage that if you can reduce these levels perhaps early when they’re starting to build up in a human brain, you could rescue the memory impairment.”
The research has been published in the peer-reviewed Science Translational Medicine journal.
Mr Leinenga said the approach was a novel one and it did not rely on drugs.
“So far the drugs that are available only help improve memory performance a small amount for a short period of time,” he said.
“It doesn’t treat the underlying disease, it doesn’t remove the amyloid beta peptide.”
He said the team was in the process of designing a larger ultrasound device to test in the brains of sheep before trialling in humans.
‘Game-changing’ work
About 250,000 Australians suffer from Alzheimer’s, which is the most common form of dementia.
With an ageing population, numbers are expected to increase.
QBI founding director Professor Perry Bartlett said the “game-changing” work was made possible because of state and federal grants and the Clem Jones Foundation.
Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research director Professor Jurgen Gotz said the new method could revolutionise Alzheimer’s treatment.
“The word breakthrough is often misused but in this case I think this really does fundamentally change our understanding of how to treat this disease and I foresee a great future for this approach,” he said.
He said human trials were at least two years away.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the research was “a Queensland-first”.
“It is going to revolutionise the way in which we approach this disease,” she said.
“A Queensland-first, happening on our doorstep, and could be the first major step in a breakthrough for helping people that have … this disease.
“I am honoured to be here as the Premier of Queensland to talk about a breakthrough – a breakthrough in medical science that has gained international reputation.”