It could postpone the disease for 10+ years.
With the global population continuing to grow and age, the number of people living with dementia is projected to reach nearly 152.8 million by 2050. Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, currently accounts for up to 70% of these cases.
In the search for treatments, monoclonal antibody therapies like lecanemab and donanemab have emerged as the first disease-modifying options for Alzheimer’s. These therapies work by targeting beta-amyloid plaques, a hallmark of the disease, and may help delay cognitive decline. However, their high cost and potential side effects have raised concerns among some experts.
A new study from Texas A&M University College of Medicine has introduced a promising alternative. The research uses a nasal spray designed to target microglia and astrocytes—immune cells that drive neuroinflammation and contribute to the progression of Alzheimer’s. In a mouse model, the treatment showed promise in slowing disease progression, with the potential to delay Alzheimer’s symptoms by up to 15 years if similar results are confirmed in humans.
The study, published in the Journal of Extracellular Vesicles, involved administering a nasal spray containing anti-inflammatory treatment derived from stem cells to genetically modified and wild-type mice at early stages of Alzheimer’s. This spray aimed to reduce the inflammation caused by overactive microglia and astrocytes, which typically clear beta-amyloid plaques before becoming overactive and damaging nerve cells. The treatment helped reduce harmful protein buildup in the brain and showed improvement in cognitive function.
Three weeks after treatment, the mice that received the nasal spray exhibited lower levels of microglial activation and beta-amyloid plaques, particularly in the hippocampus, the brain region most affected by Alzheimer’s. The treated mice performed better on cognitive and mood tests compared to untreated mice.
While the results are encouraging, experts emphasize the need for further research. Dr. Courtney Kloske of the Alzheimer’s Association noted that human trials are crucial to fully validate these findings. Microglia are complex, and researchers still have much to learn about their behavior at different stages of Alzheimer’s. Furthermore, experts like Dr. Clifford Segil from Providence Saint John’s Health Center caution that while nasal treatments targeting plaques are promising, their long-term effects on cognition remain uncertain.
Nevertheless, the study’s authors suggest that the nasal spray could offer a more balanced approach to regulating microglial activity—reducing harmful inflammation while preserving the cells’ ability to clear plaques, a critical function in combating Alzheimer’s. However, researchers also cautioned that potential side effects must be carefully evaluated in clinical trials, as manipulating the brain’s immune response could have unforeseen consequences.
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