Increasing enzyme activity key to tackling Alzheimer’s disease

Increasing the activity of enzyme NEU1 can stop or reverse the build-up of plaque in the brains of mice with Alzheimer’s disease.

The plaque (toxic protein fragments) decreased substantially when the activity of NEU1 was increased through gene therapy. NEU1 is responsible for dismantling and recycling unneeded proteins and other components within the brain.

Plaques accumulate between neurons in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients and are a hallmark of the disease.