The strong link between the decreases in select memory genes and
amyloid accumulation was observed both in mice genetically
engineered to develop memory loss and in the brains of deceased
Alzheimer's patients. The results are reported in the June 15
issue of the Journal of Neuroscience published online today.
"Blocking the ability of amyloid to inhibit, or down-regulate,
these genes may improve memory in patients with early
Alzheimer's disease," said principal investigator David Morgan,
PhD, professor of pharmacology and therapeutics and director of
the Alzheimer's Disease Research Laboratory at USF. Many
experimental approaches to treating Alzheimer's disease,
including the vaccine, try to prevent the further formation of
amyloid plaques or remove some of them from the brain. But, Dr.
Morgan said, by the time memory loss becomes apparent the toxic
plaques are probably accumulating too quickly to eliminate
enough amyloid needed to restore normal memory. "Our study
suggests a new approach to treating this neur