A new study promises to make an Alzheimer's vaccine a reality sometime in future after it was found that skin patches were successful in clearing the brain plaques, which are the standout feature in Alzheimer's disease. The idea of this "transdermal" vaccine is published in this week's issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.
The vaccine works by stimulating the body's immune system to recognize and act against the plaque build up in the brain. It is commonly accepted that this plaque is the main cause of all cognitive problems associated with Alzheimer's patients.
In the current study, researchers from the University of South Florida tried to develop a needle-free vaccine for Alzheimer's patients.
"While many groups have shown vaccinating against the beta amyloid protein (Ab) can reduce Alzheimer's-like pathology including certain cognitive deficits, this study is the first to demonstrate that immunization using the skin may be an effective way to reduce Ab pathology," said lead researcher Jun Tan, the director of the Neuroimmunology Laboratory at the Institute for Research in Psychiatry.
Earlier trials at developing an Alzheimer's vaccine failed miserably when many patients developed fatal auto immune reactions causing inflammation of the brain. That clinical trial was suspended. The reason for this violent reaction was that the immune system seemed to turn against its own proteins.
However the USF researchers are targeting the skin as a route to deliver a safe vaccine. The researchers are planning additional tests to determine the safety and efficacy in handling senile plaques in mice.
"If those studies show clear cognitive benefits," Dr. Tan said, "we believe clinical trials to evaluate a beta amyloid skin patch or topical cream in patients with Alzheimer's would be warranted."
