Khaberni - Spanish scientists have succeeded in reversing Alzheimer's disease in mice using a new technique that relies on nanoparticles injected into the body, a scientific achievement that could pave the way for a similar treatment in humans in the coming years.
The study, conducted by a team from the Institute of Bioengineering in Catalonia (IBEC) in collaboration with scientists from China and University College London, revealed that the nanoparticles repair the blood-brain barrier, the cellular wall that protects the brain from toxins and restores its vital function in eliminating harmful substances.
In Alzheimer’s disease, this barrier deteriorates leading to the accumulation of a toxic protein known as "amyloid beta" within the brain’s tissues, which is believed to be the main reason for the progression of the disease.
The study leader, Professor Josep Batalia, says the new technique is "amazing" as it treats the dysfunction from its root, by reactivating the brain’s ability to expel toxic proteins and restoring its cognitive functions.
He added in comments to "Daily Mail": "When we repair the blood-brain barrier, the brain's performance in cleaning itself from toxins improves, and its functions begin to return to normal."
Batalia explained that the nanoparticles used are tiny hollow polymer spheres medically safe, with diameters less than 200 nanometers, which is about a quarter of a percent of the width of a human hair.
These particles are injected into the bloodstream where they reach the damaged blood-brain barrier, adhere to the neuronal cells, and reactivate them through their carefully modified chemical composition.
Batalia noted that these particles work to stimulate a key protein known as LRP1, which is responsible for transferring "amyloid beta" protein from the brain to the bloodstream to be eliminated. In Alzheimer’s, this system is disrupted, resulting in protein accumulation and brain cell damage.
To prove the effectiveness of the treatment, the scientists used genetically modified mice to produce large amounts of "amyloid beta" protein, resulting in cognitive decline similar to Alzheimer’s symptoms.
After just three doses of the nanoparticles, the team observed a reduction ranging between 50 and 60% in the amount of toxic protein inside the brain within one hour of injection.
In another experiment, a mouse aged 12 months (equivalent to about 60 human years) was treated, and after 6 months of treatment, it appeared to have fully regained its cognitive functions, akin to a complete recovery.
Although the trials have been limited to mice so far, scientists believe that the similarity in the structure of the blood-brain barrier between humans and animals makes the chances of success of the technique on humans very high.
Batalia confirms that the next step is to conduct extensive studies on safety and toxicity in preparation for moving to clinical trials.
He said: "If things go as we hope, the initial human trials may begin in the next few years, potentially opening the door to a revolutionary treatment for Alzheimer's disease by repairing the brain's self-defense system."
The study results were published in the journal Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy.
