Alzheimers development believed to be found by Arizona scientists

A set of researchers in Arizona discovered a compound that they believe will block the protein that destroys the area of the brain associated with memory. If it pans out, this identification could lead to a massive change in how Alzheimer’s is treated.

At the Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center at Arizona State University. A protein has been identified as Oligomeric-Amyloid-Beta. The researchers believe it attacks healthy mitochondria located in the brain’s memory creation center, the hippocampus.

Fusing to healthy cells that the brain depends on to communicate with the rest of the body, researchers believe that the OAB protein then begins to kill off the healthy cell. This protein could be the only cell working in the brain to cause this destructive process that threatens brain and memory function, ultimately murdering the victim’s identity.

Dr. Diego Mastroeni questioned the ability to protect the vulnerable mitochondria before it starts to wear the effects of this protein’s assault during the onset period generally in the 40’s and even starting in the 30’s.

Mastroeni hopes that this research may branch into assistance for all age-related disorders of the body and mind. Other questions he has considered relate to the possibility of staving off the memory damaging effects until a person has reached the end of their days.

A researcher at the BioDesign Institute at ASU may have an affirmative answer to that question.

A compound found by another researcher, Sidney Hecht, has shown promise. If it has been observed correctly, Hecht believes it would eliminate the effects of the OAB protein by slowing down it’s ability to cause damage. It is still uncertain if this would buy the patient 15 years or so, or if it could be useful as a more permanent solution.

At the very least it is hoped that this discovery of both the helpful and harmful proteins found during this new research will fuel more studies that could result in medications that would be available by prescription or ever across the counter to help block the OAB protein’s assault on the brain.