Researchers Fascinated by Ancient Medication That Reverses Alzheimer's Symptoms in Mice

A team of researchers in Japan has discovered that a drug already used for another condition might hold promise in treating Alzheimers disease. In a recent series of experiments, they found that administering an oral dose of the amino acid argininecommonly prescribed to manage high blood pressurehelped reduce the accumulation of a protein linked to Alzheimers in mice. Their findings were published in Neurochemistry International.

Our research shows that arginine can inhibit amyloid-beta aggregation both in laboratory and live animal models, explained Yoshitaka Nagai, a neuroscientist at Kindai University and coauthor of the study. The exciting part is that arginine is already considered safe for clinical use and is inexpensive, making it a strong candidate for repurposing as an Alzheimers treatment.

While the exact cause of Alzheimers remains unclear, amyloid-beta proteins are thought to play a significant role. These proteins are naturally present in the brain but can clump together to form plaques, which are often associated with the disease. The Japanese researchers observed that arginine helped break down these plaques and remove them from the brain.

To test this, mice with amyloid-beta buildup were given drinking water and food containing small amounts of arginine. Beyond reducing protein plaques, the treated mice displayed better cognitive performance and behavior. Their improvement was measured using an elevated Y-shaped maze, tracking how far the mice traveled and how often they entered open versus enclosed arms, a standard test of natural anxiety and spatial memory in rodents.

Although human trials are required to confirm these results, the researchers are optimistic about the potential. Given its safety and low cost, arginine could quickly advance to clinical testing for Alzheimers and possibly related neurological disorders, Nagai stated.

Other recent research also points to innovative strategies against Alzheimers. Scientists in China reported rapid reversal of disease progression in mice using nanoparticles to clear amyloid-beta plaques, while another Japanese team utilized synthetic peptides to counteract early-stage symptoms. Nevertheless, the full function of amyloid-beta in the brain remains uncertain, leaving questions about whether targeting it will provide a definitive treatment.

Author: Sophia Brooks