GUWAHATI: A team of researchers of Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati (IITG) have developed ways to reduce short-term memory losses for Alzheimer patients.
The team of four led by Professor Vibin Ramakrishnan, Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering, and Professor Harshal Nemade of Electronics and Electrical Engineering Department have found means to prevent the accumulation of neurotoxic molecules in the brain that is associated with short-term memory loss.
Reportedly, it has been found that the application of a low-voltage, safe electrical field can reduce the formation and accumulation of toxic neurodegenerative molecules that cause short-term memory loss in Alzheimer's disease.
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"We found that external electric or magnetic field modulates the structure of these peptide molecules, thereby preventing aggregation. Upon exposure to electric field, we could retard the degeneration of nerve cells to an extent of 17 - 35 per cent. Objectively, this would translate to about 10 years delay in the onset of the disease," said Harshal Nemade to media.
“Our research has provided a different path that may extend the onset of the Alzheimer’s disease. However, it would take testing in animal models and clinical trials before bringing in such new therapeutic approaches into human treatment,” the professor added.
India has the third highest number of Alzheimer patients in the world after China and the US, with more than four million patients.
"While current treatments only alleviate some of the symptoms of the disease, there is no disruptive therapeutic approach yet that can treat the underlying causes of Alzheimer's," said Vibin Ramakrishnan.
