Dementia drug hopes after breakthrough

A DRUG to beat dementia could be on the horizon after a breakthrough by British scientists.

In experiments the devastating illness was prevented in mice and fruit flies by targeting a destructive chemical.

The molecule, known as Keap1, inhibits a protein called Nrf2 which protects brain cells against stressful conditions.

For unknown reasons, Nrf2 levels fall in the neurons of patients with Alzheimer’s disease.

The researchers hope developing a drug that boosts Nrf2 by targeting Keap1 will work in humans – and lead to a treatment that slows dementia, at least.

When researchers blocked the interaction in fly brains, it stopped the build up of rogue amyloidbeta peptides, harmful proteins that create the telltale plaques in Alzheimer’s.

These destroy neurons, leading to the memory loss and confusion that are the hallmarks of the condition.

Dr Fiona Kerr, of the University College London, said: “Our work is the first step in identifying Keap1 as an effective target to prevent neuronal damage in Alzheimer’s.

“The humble fruit fly is a powerful tool to identify new genetic causes of human diseases, including neuronal degeneration, and our study demonstrates that these findings have the potential to lead to the development of new compounds that are effective in mammalian systems.”