A copper-based drug has shown potential to reduce toxic protein buildup and improve memory in laboratory models of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers at Monash University found that the compound Cu(ATSM) enhanced the brain’s waste-clearing mechanisms. The results were published in ACS Chemical Neuroscience.
The study demonstrated that Cu(ATSM) increased levels of P-glycoprotein pumps in the blood-brain barrier by 24.1 percent. This led to a 42 percent reduction in amyloid-beta proteins over 56 days.
Spatial learning improved by nearly 44 percent in treated models. Lead author Dr. Jae Pyun noted that the treatment links repair of the blood-brain barrier to lower toxic proteins and better cognitive function.
Senior author Professor Joseph Nicolazzo highlighted that the drug has already undergone human safety testing for Parkinson’s disease and ALS. This could allow faster progression to trials in Alzheimer’s patients.
The findings support further research into biometal-based approaches for treating neurovascular issues linked to dementia.
