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Malaria, cystic fibrosis … affect millions of people around the world. The search is actively working on these diseases to develop a vaccine or effective treatment.It begins with an oversight, then a second, then a white several minutes. Alzheimer’s disease is an evil that strikes the human nervous system. 25 million people worldwide suffer from this regenerative disease that affects memory.



France has more than 800 000 patients, in 2020, this will be 1 million. The President Nicolas Sarkozy has made its way battle Alzheimer launching the plan on 1 February. Focus on finding a vaccine or a new treatment.
A source that researchers still do not know
The memory loss of patients and reduced ability to learn can be explained by the presence of two proteins in two brain regions: APP for amyeloid precursor protein and tau. They act on nerve cells responsible mechanisms for memory and learning in the entorhinal cortex and the toothed gyrus of the hippocampus, parts of the brain
Alzheimer scanner
Comparison of a sick brain and a brain healthy. Photo DR
Through the use of biomarkers, researchers have detected a high concentration of these proteins in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. The APA produces a small molecule, beta peptide amyéloïde. Highly toxic, it causes degeneration of nerve cells. Result: the brain presents plaques. As the tau protein, it is concentrated in the neurons and form gelatinous fibres due to amyéloïde which hinders any neuronal communication. It fibrillary degeneration.
In ten years, scientists have uncovered all the mechanisms induced by these proteins. Treatments have been developed to prepare to cut classes to this cascade of reactions. But researchers still do not know the cause of abnormal accumulation of these two proteins. The team of Professor Thierry Fréboug Laboratory of Genetics at University Hospital of Rouen was observed in patients with the inherited form of the disease, the presence of three copies of the gene coding for the protein APP. For those who have only two genes of the APA, the genetic mutations responsible for the disruption of operation are not yet detected, nor even less understood.
A vaccine to improve
“At the moment, more than 1 500 molecules are under development in laboratories which a quarantine is already at an advanced stage” said Catherine Lassalle, Director of Scientific Affairs of LEEM (drug companies) to micro Doctor Ducardonnet for Alzheimer radio. The objective of these future drugs is to act at different locations targeted by the cascade of reactions, but also to prevent and slow the progression of the disease.
As the vaccine, Professor Dubois, a neurologist at Mercy Salptérière, is optimistic the event by issuing a development by 5 to 10 years. “Several vaccines are already tested and well-supported” pre-t-il to Dr. Ducardonnet “indeed it is not strictly speaking vaccines but active immunotherapies because it treats a person already sick.” The objective of this treatment is to destroy the APA and more particularly the beta peptide amyéloide. By injecting this molecule in the patient’s blood, the immune system will respond by synthesizing antibodies that will destroy all in the body including the brain. “In animal models, it works very well, but in humans we see the emergence of a meningo-encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). The drug is too powerful.” punctuates Professor Dubois.