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A brain mechanism that acts like a recycling plant for toxic proteins goes haywire in people with a gene mutation linked with Alzheimer’s disease, according to a new U.S. study. With the unveiling of this discovery, drug companies will most likely be following its lead to develop a cure.

The gene, known as Presenilin 1, is linked to the early development of Alzheimer’s and plays a role in digesting toxic proteins. In regards to people who have Alzheimer’s-related mutations, this process becomes flawed, and fixing it could help prevent a conglomeration of toxins in the brain before they do any damage.

This new understanding of the gene’s role reveals that it is so closely linked with Alzheimer’s disease that it suggests a brand new approach to potential drug development. So far in these studies, researchers have concentrated their efforts on cleaning up the protein chaos that accumulates when this brain mechanism breaks down.

The clumps of protein made up of Beta Amyloid are considered to be a constant presence in Alzheimer’s disease, but drugs that actually remove these proteins have not been able to stop the steady decline of thinking and memory that is a hallmark of the condition.

The research team did experiments in genetically engineered mice to develop Alzheimer’s disease and in skin cells of people with Alzheimer’s caused by mutations in the Presenilin 1 gene. In both cases, they found the system for clearing away bad proteins was grossly impaired. It is the hope of the study that genetically manipulating the system so enzymes can work more efficiently will improve Alzheimer’s symptoms in mice.

Current drugs can help keep symptoms at bay, but no treatment has yet been able to stop the progression of Alzheimer’s, which can start with vague memory loss and confusion before progressing to complete disability and death.

The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that from 2010 to 2050, the annual cost of caring for Americans 65 and older with Alzheimer’s at assisted living dementia facilities will increase more than six fold to $1.08 trillion.

Tags: drug companies, drugs, protein