Alzheimer's treatment hope (From Daily Echo)

Southampton scientists identify Alzheimer's treatment hope

5:10pm Monday 25th February 2013 in News

Alzheimer's treatment hope

SCIENTISTS at the University of Southampton have identified a system in the human body that becomes active when degenerative illnesses such as Alzheimer’s occur.

It means there is great potential to find a way to control or possibly even stop the spread of terminal conditions like Parkinson’s, Huntington’s or CJD.

The molecular system contributes to a harmful inflammatory reaction in the brain when these chronic diseases take hold and is an important aspect of those illnesses.

Results from the study allow new avenues for medicine to regulate the reaction and provide new insights into the understanding of the biology of specific cells – microglial cells – which play a leading role in this reaction.

The University of Southampton’s Dr Diego Gomez-Nicola authored the scientific research which could lead to a potential life-prolonging treatment.

She said: “The understanding of microglial biology during neurodegenerative diseases is crucial for the development of potential therapeutic approaches to control the harmful inflammatory reaction.

“These potential interventions could modify or arrest diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.

“The future potential outcomes of this line of research would be rapidly translated into the clinics of neuropathology, and would improve the quality of life of patients with these diseases.”