Some Alzheimer’s disease damage may be reversible, scientists say

Fri., Jan. 21, 2005

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

ST. LOUIS – Some symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease may be reversible, suggests new research from Washington University.

In experiments with mice, a team of researchers led by Robert P. Brendza and Dr. David Holtzman found that removing some of the brain-damaging plaques associated with the disease reduced swelling in nerve fibers. The discovery is the first evidence that some types of nerve damage caused by the disease can be undone, researchers say.

The result is probably good news for Alzheimer’s disease patients and their families. It may mean that new drugs and therapies to halt or reduce build-up of plaques could improve some disease symptoms.

The results of the study will appear in the Journal of Clinical Investigation on Feb. 5.

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Some Alzheimer’s disease damage may be reversible, scientists say

Jesse Tinsley

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