By Stefan Morkis

RESEARCHERS at Dundee University have discovered an enzyme that could be crucial in combating Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr Calum Sutherland and his colleagues at Dundee University say the enzyme can partially reverse the development of abnormal structures in a protein called CRMP2, which plays an important role in development of nerve tangles seen in the disease.

Dr Sutherland said one of the hardest tasks in Alzheimer’s research is finding the abnormal biochemical pathways among the cascade of reactions in the healthy brain, and working out how to repair them without unwanted side effects.

“The enzyme we have identified is an important enzyme in many cell processes, so it is unlikely that low activity of this enzyme alone causes Alzheimer’s disease.

“Rather, the new work highlights part of the natural process that could be harnessed to fully reverse the abnormal CRMP2 structure,” he said.

“If drugs could be developed that activate this, or associated enzymes, then they should reverse the abnormal structure of CRMP2—and hopefully slow down the development of tangles in the brain.”

Nearly 65,000 people in Scotland suffer from Alzheimer’s.

Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, said, “Findings like these are crucial to our understanding of Alzheimer’s. A better understanding of the changes that occur in the brain at the onset of Alzheimer’s, and how the disease progresses, could enable scientists to develop effective treatments for slowing or stopping the disease process.

“With 700,000 people in the UK living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, we desperately need to find an effective treatment to help these people and their families.”

Dr Sutherland and other Scottish scientists will be discussing dementia at a public talk in Ninewells Medical School from 6.30pm to 8.30pm tomorrow.