Topline Researchers have found that increasing dopamine production in mice with Alzheimer’s disease improves their memory, a process they’re hopeful can be replicated in humans, though more testing for a better human alternative must be done. Woman hugging her older mother. Key Facts A research team from Japan’s RIKEN Center for Brain Science tested the new treatment method, boosting the production of dopamine in the brains of mice with Alzheimer’s in the hopes of increasing levels of an enzyme called neprilysin.
Prior research has shown neprilysin can reduce the production of protein pieces called beta-amyloid, which causes the formation of plaque around brain neurons—one of the earliest indicators of Alzheimer’s disease—and the research team had previously found the neurotransmitter dopamine increases levels of neprilysin. The scientists were able to continuously activate the neurons in the mice’s brains that produce dopamine, and after eight weeks the mice had significantly fewer plaques in their brains, according to a new study published Tuesday in Science Signaling. Next, levodopa —a Parkinson’s drug used as a dopamine replacement—was given to some of the mice because, although the drug has severe side effects, boosting dopamine production in humans with a medication is a more feasible treatment method than genetically manipulating growth like the researchers did with the mice.
The medication was given for three months and led to an increase in nepr.