Pill could treat brain conditions

A SINGLE pill has the potential to treat multiple brain conditions including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis.

Scientists have developed a new class of drug which can be taken orally and prevents the damaging effects of inflammation in the brain.

Early results from animal studies suggest it could be effective against a plethora of devastating brain conditions.

They include Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), motor neurone disease, frontotemporal dementia, and complications from traumatic brain injury.

Two of the drugs, known as MW151 and MW189, have been patented by US scientists at Northwestern University in Chicago.

They work by blocking excess production of damaging immune system signalling molecules called pro-inflammatory cytokines.

New research published in the Journal of Neuroscience showed how early treatment with MW151 prevented the development of full-blown Alzheimer's in laboratory mice.

Scientists say the drugs offer a completely different approach to treating the disease to others currently being tested.

These target the accumulation of beta amyloid protein deposits in the brain which are a key feature of Alzheimer's.

In contrast the new drugs are designed to stop inflammation disrupting wiring in the brain and killing neurons.

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Pill could treat brain conditions