MONDAY, Nov. 26, 2012 — A treatment that's typically beneficial for psoriasis patients may also slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease, according to Swiss researchers. The treatment, which has so far been tried only in mice, shut off certain immune system transmitters, which reduced the production of amyloids, abnormal proteins that are believed to play an active role in the development of Alzheimer's dementia.
Medications that suppress p40 have been shown to be successful in treating other illnesses, such as psoriasis, an autoimmune disease that affects the skin and causes severe inflammation.
There are some 5.4 million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease, and more than 35 million people worldwide suffer from dementia.
The research team plans to repeat the tests in clinical trials on humans, which will help further to ascertain the role p40 plays in the progression of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
Last Updated: 11/26/2012