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Scientists have developed a new way to fight against Alzheimer's disease.
As a world first, the research aims to target the toxic particles that trigger brain diseases.
Their work could lead to testing of new drug treatments by 2020.
Experts from the University of Cambridge and Sweden have identified these particles as the main cause of Alzheimer's disease and have developed a formula to target them.
Until now, medications have treated the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease and drug discovery attempts to prevent or slow the disease have failed.
But in the findings published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Cambridge researcher Michele Vendruscolo said, "We have devised the first strategy to tackle the cause."
"The hope is that new drugs can be developed."
A healthy brain has a quality control system that eliminates all the excess amounts of these proteins.
In Alzheimer's disease, proteins called oligomers, which usually help brain cells function normally, become "rogue" by forming clusters that kill nerve cells in good health.
A separate study conducted by the Tübingen University Hospital in Germany showed that two and a half hours of exercise a week can delay the effects of Alzheimer's disease. The brain scores of people who were physically active, such as swimming and running for 150 minutes a week, were better.
Over time, the brain begins to shrink, causing memory failure and personality changes.
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