Alzheimer's drug candidate may be first to prevent disease progression

A new drug candidate may be the first capable of halting the devastating mental decline of Alzheimer's disease, based on the findings of a study published in PLoS ONE.

When given to mice with Alzheimer's, the drug, known as J147, improved memory and prevented brain damage caused by the disease. The new compound, developed by scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, could be tested for treatment of the disease in humans in the near future.

"J147 enhances memory in both normal and Alzheimer's mice and also protects the brain from the loss of synaptic connections," says David Schubert, the head of Salk's Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory, whose team developed the new drug. "No drugs on the market for Alzheimer's have both of these properties."

Learn more at: http://salk.edu/news/pressrelease_details.php?press_id=532

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Science & Technology

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• Schubert
• David Schubert
• Alzheimer's Disease
• J147
• Salk
• Salk Institute
• Alzheimer's drug candidate
• Alzheimer's
• Margeurite Prior

[SeattleCoorain]

My mother a college teacher succumbed to the illness 5 years ago and a friend in his mid-50's was recently diagnosed as a likely early onset candidate. It is encouraging that the Salk institute started with curcumin as one half of their initial base compound which evolved into J147. I have been taking curcumin supplements for several months and sent my friend a bottle.

We wish the Salk researchers all the best in their efforts. Even we atheists are praying for them.

[xhable]

So very pleased to hear this news.

[58jtaylor]

I really hope this works, My family suffers from this bastard of a disease, I just hope it works. Well done to all is involved with finding a treatment, many people are thanking you greatly.