How Reversible is Alzheimer's?

Some evidence suggests that the worst effects of Alzheimer's disease can be repaired - that memories are not destroyed, but rather become inaccessible. Researchers have "pinpointed the exact gene responsible for a 2007 breakthrough in which mice with symptoms of Alzheimer's disease regained long-term memories and the ability to learn. ... HDAC2 regulates the expression of a plethora of genes implicated in plasticity - the brain's ability to change in response to experience - and memory formation. ... Several HDAC inhibitors are currently in clinical trials as novel anticancer agents and may enter the pipeline for other diseases in the coming two to four years. ... The researchers conducted learning and memory tasks using transgenic mice that were induced to lose a significant number of brain cells. ... after taking HDAC inhibitors, the mice regained their long-term memories and ability to learn new tasks. In addition, mice genetically engineered to produce no HDAC2 at all exhibited enhanced memory formation. The fact that long-term memories can be recovered by elevated histone acetylation supports the idea that apparent memory 'loss' is really a reflection of inaccessible memories ... These findings are in line with a phenomenon known as 'fluctuating memories,' in which demented patients experience temporary periods of apparent clarity."

Link: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-05/miot-mti050409.php

Comments

Doctors must explain the earlier the better so the patient can fight back the disease...

Posted by: Ana maria ruiz at September 29th, 2011 7:50 PM

My wife has alzheimers and I read an article about reversing alzheimers using HDAC inhibitors.
Can you give me any more information?? Is is available by prescription??
Thanks

Posted by: Tohy Mourelatos at January 7th, 2013 12:57 PM

My father, 75, has alzheimers and here I find that reversing alzheimers using HDAC inhibitors.
Could you give me any more information? He is at a remote place in India, and cannot be moved anywhere else. He is being fed nasally and has a tracheostomy tube too.

Thanks
Taha

Posted by: Taha Amin at January 28th, 2015 7:51 AM

I have a very dear friend I always called my little sister, she has Alzeimers it seems that she is getting worse. By. The minute, her husband they to ok'd her off mess and vitamins now she can eat she is eating baby food. What can we do. Please help me. It tears my heart.thank you very much May G D bless you????????

Posted by: Rita k Frank at October 26th, 2015 2:12 AM
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