More than 55 million people around the world suffer from dementia, often caused by Alzheimer’s disease and other brain disorders.
These conditions destroy brain and nerve cells, and currently, there is no effective treatment to stop or control them. But a new study offers hope.
Researchers from Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals, and the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center have found a new drug that may help treat Alzheimer’s.
Their research, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), showed that the drug protected memory and prevented brain damage in mice with Alzheimer’s.
The key breakthrough in this study was identifying a new target for treatment: the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a layer of cells that protects the brain from harmful substances in the blood, such as bacteria or viruses.
It acts like a security guard, letting in helpful substances while keeping out dangerous ones. Damage to the BBB is an early sign of Alzheimer’s and other brain conditions.
In the study, researchers found an enzyme called 15-PGDH that is highly active in the BBB. This enzyme becomes even more active in people with Alzheimer’s, brain injuries, and aging. When 15-PGDH levels rise, it harms the BBB and contributes to brain damage.
To block the harmful effects of this enzyme, the researchers used a drug called SW033291. This drug was originally developed to help repair tissue damage in other parts of the body, like the gut and bone marrow. But now, it appears to have powerful effects on the brain too.
In mouse models of Alzheimer’s, the drug protected the blood-brain barrier, prevented brain cell death, and preserved memory and thinking ability. Even after a traumatic brain injury, like a concussion, the drug helped protect the brain and prevent memory loss—especially when given within 24 hours.
Unlike some current Alzheimer’s treatments, which focus only on removing amyloid plaques (sticky proteins that build up in the brain), this drug works in a completely different way.
It doesn’t reduce amyloid levels, but it still protects brain function. This is important because existing amyloid-targeting drugs often don’t work well and can cause serious side effects.
Dr. Andrew Pieper, one of the study’s lead authors, said, “Our findings suggest an effective new way to safely prevent neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease by directly protecting the blood-brain barrier.”
Co-lead author Dr. Sanford Markowitz added that this new approach could also help treat brain injuries and other conditions that damage the brain.
While more research is needed, including human trials, the results are promising. The drug SW033291 could lead to a new type of treatment for Alzheimer’s and possibly other brain-related diseases.
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.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
