University Hospitals study reports reversal of Alzheimer's features in mice

Researchers at University Hospitals treated mice carrying human Alzheimer's genes with a compound that restored NAD enzyme function and reversed multiple brain pathology features and cognitive deficits; the team says human studies are still years away.

Researchers at University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve describe a laboratory study that reversed several Alzheimer's-related brain changes in mice. The work grew from earlier research into traumatic brain injury as a risk factor and focused on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) enzymes. The team treated mice engineered with human Alzheimer's genes using a compound intended to restore NAD enzyme function and reported recovery of cognitive performance in behavioral tests. Key findings: - The researchers focused on NAD enzymes, which support cellular energy and repair and are reported to decline in Alzheimer's. - Mice engineered with human genes linked to Alzheimer's were given a compound designed to restore NAD enzyme activity. - The study team reported reversal of multiple brain pathology features and recovery on learning and memory tests in the treated mice. - Investigators emphasized these are preliminary results in animals, data are still being studied, and human trials are years away. Summary: The study provides a preclinical demonstration that restoring NAD function can reverse disease markers and cognitive deficits in a mouse model. Researchers are continuing to analyze the findings and state that human studies remain years away.