Immunization with abeta oligomers

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD) are affecting an increasing number of people, with annual new diagnoses approaching one-half million; and total cost, $150 billion. Early treatment is important for optimal outcomes, but to date, there is no effective treatment on the market for AD. Active immunization for AD is one promising therapeutic approach, yet current techniques utilize monomeric or fibrillar aggregates of the protein beta-amyloid (A), rather than the preferred oligomeric A form. Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a novel therapeutic to treat Alzheimer's disease in its early, asymptomatic stage, when such treatments are likely to be most effective. Specifically, they have isolated antibody based reagents which catalyze formation of oligomeric A species. These antibody reagents, when incubated with monomeric A, catalyze formation of large amounts of pure SDS stable oligomeric A aggregates in vitro. These pure oligomeric aggregate A species can then be used for active immunization to initiate formation of antibodies to the toxic A species and not against other A forms. This has been demonstrated in vivo with a trans-genic mouse model and in vitro with extracted human brain tissue. Active immunization, utilizing oligomeric A aggregates, presents a novel approach to AD treatment which has real potential to provide a therapeutic benefit at physiologic (non-toxic) doses. Potential Applications Alzheimer's Disease treatment Benefits and Advantages Safety - Immunization against specific oligomeric A species, present in very low concentrations, so the inflammatory response in the brain is minimized Creation of large amounts of pure oligomeric A, similar to those isolated from brain tissue Dowload Original PDF For more information about the inventor(s) and their research, please see Dr. Sierks' directory webpage Dr. Sierks' laboratory webpage