A drug brought to light by Hippocrates in 5th century BC could help restore memory in Alzheimer’s patients, scientists hope.
Salsalate, which comes from the same family as aspirin, was typically used to treat inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
But a new study suggests it can prevent the build-up of toxic proteins in the brain and even reverse damage already done, unblocking pathways and restoring memory. Trials limited to mice could soon include humans because researchers know the drug is safe and produces few side-effects.
US scientists say it is the first time that a drug has been shown to reverse all toxic effects of the tau protein. The proteins accumulate in people with dementia, driving neurodegeneration and mental decline. But a low dose of salsalate appears to lower tau levels, ‘rescuing’ memories and protecting the hippocampus—a part of the brain essential for memory formation.
“We identified for the first time a pharmacological approach that reverses all aspects of tau toxicity,” says Dr Li Gan of the Gladstone Institutes, University of California. “Remarkably, the profound protective effects of salsalate were achieved even though it was administered after disease onset, indicating that it may be an effective treatment option.”
Greek physician Hippocrates first described salicylates as a bitter powder extract from willow bark that eased pain and reduced fevers.
Dr Simon Ridley of Alzheimer’s Research in the UK says: “The tau protein is implicated in a number of dementias including Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia, and is a promising target for the development of new treatments. This study identifies an important pathway which will now need following up.”
The research was published in the journal Nature Medicine.