Researchers at UCLA Health have made a groundbreaking discovery that could change how Alzheimer’s disease is treated. A new molecule called DDL-920 has been found to restore memory and cognitive function in mice with Alzheimer’s-like symptoms. If this success can be repeated in humans, it may lead to a revolutionary way to manage Alzheimer’s disease.
The research team, led by Dr. Istvan Mody and Dr. Varghese John, tested DDL-920 in their laboratories at UCLA. Unlike most Alzheimer’s treatments that focus on removing plaques in the brain, DDL-920 aims to “reboot” the brain’s memory circuits.
Current drugs like lecanemab and aducanumab are designed to clear these harmful plaques and slow down mental decline, but they do not repair the damaged circuits that are essential for memory and clear thinking. This is where DDL-920 is different—it goes straight to the brain’s memory pathways, working to restore lost connections.
Plaques are clumps of proteins that build up between nerve cells in the brain. These block important signals that allow the brain to function properly, leading to memory loss and confusion. While clearing these plaques can slow the disease, it doesn’t bring back lost memories or fix the damage already done to brain circuits.
Dr. Mody, a professor of neurology and physiology at UCLA, explained that even if plaques are removed, the brain still struggles to work properly because the underlying pathways are broken.
Dr. Mody and Dr. John wanted to try something new. Rather than focusing only on plaques, they aimed to restore the brain’s natural rhythms. Our brain sends electrical signals, much like traffic lights controlling the flow of cars.
One important type of signal is called gamma oscillations. These brain waves are crucial for memory and learning. In people with early Alzheimer’s, these waves are much weaker than normal, making it hard for the brain to process information correctly.
Scientists have tried different methods to boost gamma oscillations before. For example, sound waves or magnetic therapy have been used to increase these brain signals.
While these approaches helped clear some plaques, they didn’t make much of a difference in restoring memory. Dr. Mody and his team decided to take a new direction—they wanted to boost these signals from the inside using a specially designed molecule.
Their research found that certain brain cells, called parvalbumin interneurons, are key to creating gamma oscillations. These neurons usually help keep brain rhythms steady.
However, in Alzheimer’s disease, these neurons become less active because of a chemical imbalance involving GABA, a neurotransmitter that acts like a brake. With too much GABA, these neurons can’t produce the strong signals needed for memory.
To solve this problem, the UCLA team developed DDL-920. This molecule is designed to block the excess GABA, releasing the brake and allowing the neurons to fire more effectively. As a result, the brain’s memory signals become stronger, which could help improve thinking and memory in people with Alzheimer’s.
The team tested DDL-920 on mice that were genetically modified to have Alzheimer’s-like symptoms. To measure memory, the mice were placed in a Barnes maze—a circular platform with different holes, only one of which leads to an escape. Healthy mice quickly remember which hole is the escape route, but Alzheimer’s mice struggle to find it.
Before taking DDL-920, the Alzheimer’s mice wandered around the maze, unable to remember where to go. But after just two weeks of treatment, these mice showed dramatic improvements, performing almost as well as the healthy ones.
Even more promising, the mice did not show any negative side effects during the study, suggesting that DDL-920 could be safe, at least for mice. Dr. Mody emphasized that more research is needed to see if these results can be repeated in humans. However, the fact that memory was restored in mice is a significant step forward.
If DDL-920 is proven to work in people, it could change how Alzheimer’s disease is treated. Not only could it help people with Alzheimer’s, but it may also benefit those with other brain conditions that affect gamma oscillations, such as depression, schizophrenia, and autism.
Dr. Mody expressed his excitement about this new path, calling it a completely novel approach that hasn’t been explored before.
This discovery brings fresh hope in the fight against one of the most devastating diseases worldwide. Millions of people struggle with Alzheimer’s every day, losing memories and independence. The possibility of restoring memory through a new type of treatment offers a glimpse of a better future for patients and their families.
For those interested in brain health, there is more research available on how dietary antioxidants may protect against Alzheimer’s and how certain eating habits can affect brain health. Studies also suggest that oral cannabis extracts might help reduce Alzheimer’s symptoms, while Vitamin E may help prevent Parkinson’s disease.
The findings of this exciting research are published in PNAS, and they mark an important step forward in understanding how to treat memory loss effectively. As more studies are done, the hope for a real breakthrough in Alzheimer’s treatment continues to grow.
If you care about Alzheimer’s, please read studies about Vitamin D deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, and Oral cannabis extract may help reduce Alzheimer’s symptoms.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about Vitamin B9 deficiency linked to higher dementia risk, and results showing flavonoid-rich foods could improve survival in Parkinson’s disease.
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