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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : March 27, 2014 11:03 AM IST
While conducting an experimental model, researchers found that pramlintide, a diabetic drug, helps in reducing amyloid-beta peptides, a major element of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the brain. Scientists from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) also found that pramlintide improves learning and memory and AD patients have a lower level of amylin in blood compared to those without this disease.
According to senior author Wendy Qiu, associate professor at BUSM, believes that some existing drugs for other diseases may penetrate into brain and may be effective for AD. Unfortunately most pharmaceuticals are reluctant to support this type of repurposing research because of limited financial benefit and some patent limitation, even though the cost is much less expensive and the development time is much shortened, she added. (Read: Beat diabetes with these 7 foods (Gallery))
Using AD models, the BUSM researchers investigated the effects of amylin on the pathogenesis of the disease. Surprisingly, injections of amylin or pramlintide into the AD models reduced the amyloid burden as well as lowered the concentrations of amyloid-beta peptides (AB), a major component of AD in the brain, Qiu explained. Pramlintide, which is an analog of a natural occurring peptide, amylin, produced by the pancreas, can easily cross the blood/brain barrier and has shown favorable safety profile for diabetes patients, she added. (Read: 10 ways to control diabetes naturally)
Based on their findings the researchers propose that amylin-class peptides have potential to become a new avenue as a challenge test for diagnosis of AD and as well as a therapeutic for the disease. If the clinical trial proves the effect of pramlintide for AD, Qiu believes this drug can be applied to Alzheimer's patients in only three to five years.
The study appears online in Molecular Psychiatry.
Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative mental disease that causes problems with memory, thinking and behaviour. It is the most common form of dementia and is commonly seen in the elderly. While the chances of developing the disease increase with age, it is now seen that younger people are also now being diagnosedwith the disease.
During the course of Alzheimer's disease, nerve cells in areas of the brain that control language, reasoning, sensory processing, and conscious thought die due to plaque deposition. Symptoms include confusion, mood swings, impaired reasoning or judgement, long-term memory loss and a gradual loss of bodily functions.Dementia is the most prominently visible symptom. People with Alzheimer's begin to have problems recognising family and friends. They also find it exceptionally difficult to learn new things, carry out tasks that involve multiple steps (like getting dressed) and cope with new situations. They might suffer from insomnia. In the more severe stages of Alzheimer's disease, the brain completely shrinks and they become increasinglydependent on others.
The diagnosis of Alzheimer's is usually based on collective symptoms and family history. Other tests that can be performed are mental status tests and radiological tests. A recent advancement in the diagnosis of the disease is the use of biomarkers. Current treatments for Alzheimer's are based on treating the symptoms but they do not eliminate the cause. The best way to slow the process and prevent it from progressing is early medical intervention. The earlier the condition is identified, the better the prognosis. Treatments include medications for memory loss and treatments for behavioural and sleep changes. Intervention therapies like reminiscence therapy, simulated presence therapy and validation theory may improve the quality of a patient's life.
With inputs from ANI
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