Candidate Drug Found to Boost Protective Protein and Improve Memory in Mice with Alzheimer’s Disease

Researchers have identified a candidate drug that may offer new avenues for treating Alzheimer’s disease. A study conducted by UCLA Health found that the drug reduces levels of a toxic form of protein in the brain associated with the disease and improves memory in mice. The findings, published in the journal *npj Drug Discovery*, highlight the drug’s ability to boost production of clusterin (CLU), a protective protein known to play a key role in preventing the accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques, which are widely recognized as a hallmark of Alzheimer’s pathology.

The research focused on targeting CLU due to its critical function in mitigating amyloid-beta plaque build-up. These plaques are toxic clusters of protein fragments that disrupt communication between neurons and contribute to cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients. By enhancing CLU production, researchers observed reductions in toxic protein levels and improvements in memory performance among mice used in the study. The results suggest potential therapeutic benefits, though further investigation is required to determine its efficacy and safety for human use.

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Source: GO-AI-ne1

Date: May 22, 2025

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Author

Mark Chiang