Alzheimer's disease is characterized by progressive loss of cognitive
function due to amyloid-beta (A?) deposits in the central nervous system. If
these deposits could be stopped or slowed, Alzheimer's disease might become
more manageable. In the current issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease,
a novel paper from researchers from the National Institute for Longevity
Sciences, NCGG, Japan and Center for Neurological Diseases, Brigham &
Women's Hospital, Harvard Institute of Medicine shows that a new oral
vaccine treatment is effective in reducing Alzheimer's disease pathology.

Immunization results from the production of antibodies which attack the
harmful agent, using the body's own defenses to remove the threat. In an
earlier immunization study, 6 percent of the subjects developed acute
meningoencephalitis, most likely caused by autoimmune T-cell activation.
This caused the trial to be stopped. By developing vaccines that can
minimize this T-cell activation while retaining the production of
A?-antibodies, a safer treatment might result.

The researchers attached A? DNA to an adeno-associated virus vector and
administered this vaccine to mice orally. Not only were the A? levels
decreased, but the T-cell immune response was significantly reduced. A
single dose of this vaccine enhanced the production of A?-antibodies for
more than 6 months. Immunohistochemistry of the mouse brain tissue showed
that the extra-cellular amyloid deposits were clearly decreased compared to
the non-treated mouse.

Hideo Hara, M.D, writes "This new oral vaccine does not induce strong T cell
immune reactions, and hence it could reduce the side effect of such
meningoencephalitis.This new therapy seems to be effective for prevention
and treatment of Alzheimer's disease."

The article is "Development of a safe oral A? vaccine using recombinant
adeno-associated virus vector for Alzheimer's disease" by Hideo Hara, Alon
Monsonego, Katsutoshi Yuasa, Kayo Adachi, Xiao Xiao, Shin'ichi Takeda,
Keikichi Takahashi, Howard L. Weiner and Takeshi Tabira. It appears in the
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, Vol.6, Number 5, published by IOS Press.

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Source= http://www.cwru.edu/