May 19, 2008 A vaccine created by University of Rochester
Medical Center scientists prevents the development of
Alzheimer's disease-like pathology in mice without causing
inflammation or significant side effects. Vaccinated mice
generated an immune response to the protein known as amyloid-
beta peptide, which accumulates in what are called "amyloid
plaques" in brains of people with Alzheimer's. The vaccinated
mice demonstrated normal learning skills and functioning memory
in spite of being genetically designed to develop an aggressive
form of the disease. The Rochester scientists reported the
findings in an article in the May issue of Molecular Therapy,
the journal of The American Society of Gene Therapy. "Our study
demonstrates that we can create a potent but safe version of a
vaccine that utilizes the strategy of immune response shaping to
prevent Alzheimer's-related pathologies and memory deficits,"
said William Bowers, associate professor of neurology and of
microbiology and immunology at the Medical Cente