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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A popular epilepsy drug may soon find a new purpose as an Alzheimers disease treatment, thanks to new research.
A recent study shows the anti-seizure drug valproic acid improved memory and shrank brain plaques in mice with an Alzheimers-like disease. The drug also prompted damaged nerves to start repairing themselves.
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Results show valproic acid improved the animals performance in a variety of tests gauging memory.
The acid works against Alzheimers by blocking a series of reactions that culminate in the accumulation of the protein beta-amyloid. This protein builds up to toxic levels in the brains of Alzheimers patients, eventually forming the diseases signature brain plaques.
The drug was less effective as disease progressed, pointing to the need for future clinical trials to focus on patients in the early stages of Alzheimers disease.
SOURCE: Journal of Experimental Medicine, 2008
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