Promising Treatment Approach for Alzheimer Disease

Amyloid-β (Aβ) is produced, and cleared, in the brain. Deposits of Aβ are a pathologic feature of Alzheimer disease (AD), and Aβ is neurotoxic. A protein related to the low-density lipoprotein receptor, called LRP, is known to play a role in clearing Aβ from the brain. LRP, found in the walls of brain capillaries, transfers Aβ from the brain to the blood. A soluble form of LRP travels in blood and is also a “sink” for clearing Aβ.

A multinational team reports that, in patients with AD, circulating levels of LRP are low and bind Aβ poorly. The team determined that one portion of the LRP molecule, called LRP-IV, was particularly potent at clearing Aβ. They produced LRP-IV and gave it to a line of mice that overproduce Aβ and develop AD-like brain pathology and cognitive decline. Whether given early or later in life, the LRP-IV treatment reduced brain levels of Aβ by 60% to 90% (depending on brain region) and protected the mice from declines in learning and memory. The investigators reported no adverse effects of the treatment in the mice.