Researchers show multiple sclerosis drug can be used as Alzheimer's therapy (Available Ponvory reprograms cells to clean up the brain)

Medical Xpress / University of Kentucky / eBioMedicine ^ | Sept. 1, 2023 | Lindsay Travis / Zhihui Zhu et al

[ConservativeMind]

A team of researchers has found that a drug used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) is potentially effective as a therapy for Alzheimer's disease.

The team studied ponesimod, an oral medication that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved to treat relapsing forms of MS. The medication reduces inflammation in the brain by targeting a specific receptor in the immune system to help regulate the body's response and prevent it from attacking the central nervous system. This receptor is activated by a lipid termed sphingosine-1-phosphate.

Said Bieberich. "Since this drug is already in clinical use for therapy of relapsing multiple sclerosis, it is immediately available to be used in Alzheimer's disease therapy as well."

UK researchers homed in on a specific type of cell found in the central nervous system called microglia. The cells have several functions in our bodies, including regulating inflammatory responses in the central nervous system—the brain and the spinal cord.

Dysfunctional microglia are connected to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's because those cells help clear out the buildup of abnormal protein deposits in the brain—a distinct characteristic of the disease.

Said Zhihui Zhu, Ph.D. "In our study, we reprogrammed microglia into neuron-protective cells that clean up toxic proteins in the brain, reduce Alzheimer's neuroinflammatory pathology, and improve memory in the mouse model."

Said Zhu: "Our tests indicate ponesimod rescues attention and working memory in mice with advanced Alzheimer's pathology."

Scientists also worked to obtain human brain samples to study. The data collected from those tests were consistent and also indicated ponesimod can be used as a therapy for Alzheimer's.

Said Bieberich. "Our study shows strong experimental evidence that ponesimod may be a therapeutic drug, which not only reduces neuroinflammation but also enhances the clearance of neurotoxic proteins in the brain in middle and late-stage Alzheimer's."

[ConservativeMind]

This is a very expensive drug, but it is available today.

[ConservativeMind]

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[rootntootn]

If anyone believes anything coming from the “health care industry” they are idiots. Just saying…

[BipolarBob]

Can the brain be exercised like muscles to prevent Alzheimers or dementia? Chess Masters have an unbelievable memory and I’ve never known of one having Alzheimers. Bobby Fischer went a little screwy but that’s not the same thing. Food for thought.

[reasonisfaith]

It’s a mixture of truth and lies.

You have to have the acumen to tell the difference.

So far, I find this article credible.