A new drug that rebuilds the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease

A team of researchers has discovered the possibility of converting glial cells into neurons using a sequence of nine small molecules, but the large number and sequence of molecules make it difficult to transfer research from the laboratory to clinical trials.

The team found a way to simplify the process of forming neurons from a specific type of glial cell called glial astrocytes. The researchers published their study in the Stills report last Thursday.

"We identified the most effective chemical formula among the hundreds of pharmaceutical compounds we tested and we were able to modify four important signal pathways in astrocytes using four molecules, which led to the conversion of astrocytes into neurons" said Geo Zhao Yin, a researcher at Pennsylvania State University. Functional efficiency equal to 70% ".

In a press release, the team pointed out that there was still a long way to go before treating patients with Alzheimer's disease, but was optimistic about the results research in the future.

"The most important benefit of this new drug is its ease of distribution in all parts of the world, even in rural areas without advanced health systems, and I am dreaming of developing a simple system that will make it easier for people to get better. administering medications to help stroke patients and Alzheimer's disease patients worldwide, so their neurons regain their lost memory and learning ability, and our research will contribute to the realization of this dream. "