US scientists create Alzheimer's disease "vaccine"

A "vaccine" for Alzheimer's disease was developed by biologists from the University of Kansas based on a protein isolated from corn. They wrote more about the results in the journal Antioxidants.

When the beta-amyloid plaques that form in the brain in Alzheimer's disease gradually oxidize, the methionine residues in them are converted to methionine sulfoxide (MetO). The researchers managed to create a recombinant protein rich in it based on one of the proteins that make up corn. In mice predisposed to Alzheimer's disease, this protein led to the production of antibodies against MetO. After 10 months, the mice that received the injection performed better on the tasks of passing the Y-maze, finding the platform under water, and other memory tests.

On average, mice with antibodies to MetO had 50% better memory than the control group. The autopsy showed that beta-amyloid and MetO accumulated in the brains of the "vaccinated" mice.

Scientists expect that such immunization "may provide an opportunity to delay or prevent Alzheimer's disease." It would be possible to administer MetO to people 50-60 years old, and then maintain the effect with booster doses.