‘Ninja drug’ prevents Alzheimer’s by destroying harmful cells in the brain

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August 01, 2017August 1, 2017
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  • Treatment stops the process that kills brain cells, protecting a patient’s memory
  • Unlike other medications, the drug is cell-specific and does not have side effects
  • The drug, known as PMN310 antibody, is effective as the brain can regenerate
  • If successful in future trials, the medication could be available in 2025
  • Alzheimer’s affects around 5.5 million people in the US and 850,000 in the UK 

A ‘ninja drug’ could prevent Alzheimer’s disease by destroying harmful cells in the brain, new research suggests.

Experiments reveal the treatment stops the process that kills brain cells in dementia patients, while also protecting against short-term memory loss, a study found.

Unlike other Alzheimer’s medications, the drug, known as PMN310 antibody, does not cause side effects, according to researchers.

If successful in future trials, the drug could be available for patients in 2025, they add.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and affects around 5.5 million people in the US and 850,000 in the UK.

'Ninja drug' could prevent Alzheimer's disease by destroying harmful cells in the brain (stock)

‘Ninja drug’ could prevent Alzheimer’s disease by destroying harmful cells in the brain

SNORING IS LINKED TO ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

Difficulty breathing while asleep accelerates memory decline in people at-risk of the condition, a study found.

Daytime sleepiness and sleep apnoea are also linked to impaired attention, memory and thinking in people who are genetically susceptible to the degenerative condition, the research adds.

Researchers hope the findings will support sleep-based treatments in people at-risk of developing Alzheimer’s.

Study author Dr Susan Redline from Harvard University, said: ‘Given the lack of effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, our results support the potential for sleep-disordered breathing screening and treatment as part of a strategy to reduce dementia risk.’

‘Give the brain a chance to kick in’ 

Developed by Toronto-based ProMIS Neurosciences, the treatment is thought to neutralize harmful cells in the brain, which can then be cleared out.

Gene Williams, who works at ProMIS, told The Sun: ‘This antibody is like a ninja.

‘It comes in and targets only the toxic parts.

‘If you tip the balance back and stop the process [that kills brain cells], you give the brain’s systems a chance to kick in and work.’

Mr Williams adds the drug is effective due to the brain’s ability to regenerate.

Available in 2025 

Although only tested on mice to date, the drug could be available for Alzheimer’s patients in 2025.

A spokesperson from the Alzheimer’s Society described the development as promising as it removes proteins from the brain before they become harmful plaques.

This comes after researchers from the University of Brescia in Italy have developed a new test that differentiates between different types of dementia with up to 90 per cent accuracy.

The analysis, which involves placing a coil against a suspected patient’s head, can tell the difference between an Alzheimer’s disease or frontotemporal dementia sufferer with 90 percent reliability, a study found.

This may help to treatment patients quicker and more effectively, the researchers said.