Genetially modified mice may be key to finding cure for Alzheimer's disease

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Scientists are figuring out how to create a cure for Alzheimer's by studying the effects of their genetically modified mice.

Researchers from Britain's University of Leeds, Toronto's Mount Sinai Hospital, University of British Columbia and Toronto, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and Oman's National Genetic Centre created intelligent mice by altering a single gene to block the phosphodiesterase-4B (PDE4B) enzyme. They then studied the changes in the mice's cognitive abilities including memory, problem-solving and learning. Their findings were published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.

When they tested the altered mice, they found that they were more intelligent as they learned faster, remembered better and could solve complicated puzzles compared to ordinary mice. According to Oregon Live, the PDE-4B-inhibited mice were also less fearful.

For example, the modified rodents showed lesser fear when they were exposed to cat urine.

According to a press release published in the website of the University of Leeds, the genetically modified mice also exhibited less anxiety from scary situations leading them to have increased risk-taking behavior. The altered mice were also more comfortable in open and brightly lit places compared to ordinary mice as their genetic modification made them less anxious, according to Tech Times.

The post added that these traits could be useful for making treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Alzheimer's and Schizophrenia.

"In the future, medicines targeting PDE4B may potentially improve the lives of individuals with neurocognitive disorders and life-impairing anxiety, and they may have a time-limited role after traumatic events," said Dr. Alexander McGirr, coauthor of the study from the University of British Columbia.

Dr. Laura Phipps of Alzheimer's Research UK, who was not involved in the experiments, praised the study. She stated that there is promise in finding more about the role and effect of PDE4B gene in the cognitive abilities of mice. She added that further research should be pursued in order to know if the study results could be useful for dementia research.

"We'd need to see how this gene could influence memory and thinking in people to get a better idea of whether it could hold potential as a target to treat Alzheimer's," Dr. Phipps said via Daily Mail. "There is currently a lack of effective treatments for dementia and understanding the effect of genes can be a key early step on the road to developing new drugs."

According to Alzheimer's Association, there are more than five million in America that are affected with Alzheimer's disease. The disease affects women more by almost two-thirds and is the only top 10 disease that cannot be prevented, cured or slowed down.