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| New move towards Alzheimer's cure | New move towards Alzheimer's cure |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| A group of Fife scientists believe they have moved a step closer to finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease. | A group of Fife scientists believe they have moved a step closer to finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease. |
| St Andrews University biologists claim to have developed a compound which has successfully prevented the disease killing brain cells. | St Andrews University biologists claim to have developed a compound which has successfully prevented the disease killing brain cells. |
| It also appeared to improved memory and learning ability already damaged. | It also appeared to improved memory and learning ability already damaged. |
| Working with US researchers they developed man-made compounds capable of blocking a nerve cell interaction known to lead to the symptoms of the disease. | Working with US researchers they developed man-made compounds capable of blocking a nerve cell interaction known to lead to the symptoms of the disease. |
| The results of the study - carried out in the laboratory using a model of the disease - have prompted the Alzheimer's Research Trust to help fund a further three years research. | The results of the study - carried out in the laboratory using a model of the disease - have prompted the Alzheimer's Research Trust to help fund a further three years research. |
| Trust chief executive Rebecca Wood described the findings as "exciting". | Trust chief executive Rebecca Wood described the findings as "exciting". |
| "A drug that can stop Alzheimer's disease from killing brain cells is a holy grail for researchers working to overcome the devastating condition which affects more than 500,000 people in the UK," she said. | "A drug that can stop Alzheimer's disease from killing brain cells is a holy grail for researchers working to overcome the devastating condition which affects more than 500,000 people in the UK," she said. |
| Our research holds a possible key for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, particularly in its early stages Dr Gunn-MooreSt Andrews University | Our research holds a possible key for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, particularly in its early stages Dr Gunn-MooreSt Andrews University |
| The number of sufferers is expected to double to more than one million with the general ageing of the population over the next generation. | The number of sufferers is expected to double to more than one million with the general ageing of the population over the next generation. |
| Alzheimer's is linked to the build-up of amyloid protein, which eventually forms "senile plaques". | Alzheimer's is linked to the build-up of amyloid protein, which eventually forms "senile plaques". |
| The amyloid protein inflicts damage by interacting with an enzyme called amyloid beta alcohol dehydrogenase (ABAD) and releasing toxic substances which kill brain cells. | The amyloid protein inflicts damage by interacting with an enzyme called amyloid beta alcohol dehydrogenase (ABAD) and releasing toxic substances which kill brain cells. |
| Researchers at St Andrews University initially focused on developing the three-dimensional shape of ABAD and understanding how amyloid attaches itself to the structure. | Researchers at St Andrews University initially focused on developing the three-dimensional shape of ABAD and understanding how amyloid attaches itself to the structure. |
| Living model | Living model |
| Dr Frank Gunn-Moore, senior lecturer at the university's school of biology, said: "Alzheimer's sufferers produce too much amyloid and ABAD in their brains. | Dr Frank Gunn-Moore, senior lecturer at the university's school of biology, said: "Alzheimer's sufferers produce too much amyloid and ABAD in their brains. |
| "Based on our knowledge of ABAD, we produced an inhibitor that can prevent amyloid attaching to it in a living model." | "Based on our knowledge of ABAD, we produced an inhibitor that can prevent amyloid attaching to it in a living model." |
| Dr Gunn-Moore, who led the research, added: "We have shown that it is possible to reverse some of the signs associated with Alzheimer's disease. | Dr Gunn-Moore, who led the research, added: "We have shown that it is possible to reverse some of the signs associated with Alzheimer's disease. |
| "The work is now being continued to try and refine the inhibitor into a potential drug. | "The work is now being continued to try and refine the inhibitor into a potential drug. |
| "Our research holds a possible key for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, particularly in its early stages." | "Our research holds a possible key for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, particularly in its early stages." |
| Dr Susanne Sorensen, head of research, Alzheimer's Society, said: "The study provides another important piece in the puzzle for understanding Alzheimer's disease and points toward a possible new treatment target, which has so far been unexplored." |