Alzheimer’s disease could be slowed by boosting a certain protein in the brain, researchers say

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Boosting a specific protein in the brain could help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, a new study has found. The longstanding theory is that Alzheimer’s occurs when a protein called amyloid-beta 42 (Aβ42) transforms into plaques that build up in the brain, causing damage to neural cells and leading to cognitive decline. Researchers from the University of Cincinnati have challenged that assumption, instead suggesting that the disease is caused by low levels of healthy, functioning Aβ42, according to a UC press release.

ALZHEIMER’S AND OTHER DEMENTIA DIAGNOSES CAN VARY BY ZIP CODE, NEW STUDY FINDS They based this hypothesis on the fact that newly approved monoclonal antibody medications — including lecanemab (Leqembi) and donanemab (Kisunla) — have had the unintended outcome of raising levels of the protein in the brain. Boosting a specific protein in the brain could help slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, a new study has found. (iStock) "The new Alzheimer's treatments, which were designed to remove amyloid plaques, unintentionally raised Aβ42 levels, and this may explain their positive effects on cognition as much as — or better than — amyloid reduction," lead study author Alberto J.

Espay, MD, professor of neurology at the Gardner Family Center for Parkinson's disease and Movement Disorders at UC, told Fox News Digital via email. "Higher Aβ42 levels after .