ASL Tse:โ Promising Early Results from Mistletoe-Based Approach to Alzheimer’s in Genetic Subgroup
Siena, โItaly – Researchers atโ the University Hospital of Siena (Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Senese, or ASLโข Tse) have reported encouraging initialโฃ findings from โขa โyear-long oral management trial of a mistletoe-derived drug on patients wiht Alzheimer’s disease carrying a specific genetic โmutation. The study, led by Dr. [Name not provided in text, referred to as “the specialist” and “Dr. Mignarri’s team”], suggests the treatment stabilized the illness and even led to a reduction in brainโ amyloid, a hallmark protein accumulation โขin Alzheimer’s patients.
The research focused โon individuals with Alzheimer’s disease linked toโ the NPC1 gene,โค responsibleโ forโ a disruption in cerebral cholesterol metabolism. The team leveraged prior experience usingโ the โtreatment in rare neurological diseases like niemann-Pick tipo C and Gaucher disease.
“We have used it on patients suffering โfrom Alzheimer of โคthe same family and carriers of theโ gene Npc1 responsibleโข for an alteration of cerebral metabolism of cholesterol,” explained the specialist.
the rationale behind using mistletoe stems from its ability to reduce the accumulation of toxic cholesterol derivatives and, crucially, to cross theโค blood-brain barrier – a โsignificant hurdle for many Alzheimer’s therapies. โResearchers describedโค it as a “natural candidate” to modulate keyโ mechanisms in the โdisease’s growth.
Theโฃ trial involved related patients receiving the drug orally for one year. Results exceeded expectations, demonstrating illness stabilization and a reduction in brain amyloid.
The research team included geneticist โDiego Lopergolo, neurologistโข Daniele Gasparini, and was guided by Nicola De Stefano, head โofโฃ Neurology atโ Scotte Hospital and incoming โpresident of the Italian Neurology society. International experts Stelvio Sestini (nuclear medicine, neurodegenerative diseases), Valerio Leoni, and Henrikโฃ Zetterberg (brain biochemistry, Alzheimer’s biomarkers) also contributed.
While researchers caution this isโฃ a “first step,” they are optimistic. โ”The results โsuggest that a concrete path to slow down the progression of evil can be an interaction with lipid metabolism,” the specialist stated, adding that altered lipid metabolism might potentially be fundamental to the pathology, โaccording to recent research.
The team hopes larger โฃstudies will confirm theseโข findings in this โspecificโ genetic formโ of Alzheimer’s and perhaps paveโฃ the way for a new โคtreatment approach.
