Experimental drug boosts memory in Alzheimer’s mice study

A team at Stanford University conducted a study on an experimental cancer drug that targets the enzyme IDO1, which is believed to malfunction in Alzheimer’s disease, limiting the brain's energy production. They genetically modified mice with Alzheimer’s to eliminate IDO1, discovering that these mice exhibited improved glucose metabolism and did not show typical memory loss. The research revealed that astrocytes, which support neurons, were more active in these modified mice, enhancing their ability to learn and remember. When treated with the experimental drug, the Alzheimer’s mice learned to escape a bright light as quickly as healthy mice, indicating a restoration of cognitive function. Despite the presence of Alzheimer’s plaques and tangles, the drug successfully restored normal glucose metabolism in the hippocampus, a critical area for memory. This suggests that metabolic changes in the brain can be reversible, highlighting the potential for new treatments that focus on restoring the function of astrocytes and other supportive brain cells. Such metabolic therapies could complement existing Alzheimer’s treatments that primarily target amyloid plaques, offering a more comprehensive approach to improving memory and cognitive function in patients.