Are we any closer to a cure for degenerative brain disease?

The study by scientists at the UK's Medical Research Council raised the prospect that a pill could be used in the future to prevent the destruction of brain cells, part of the cause of degenerative brain disease.

We were extremely excited when we saw the treatment stop the disease in its tracks and protect brain cells Professor Giovanni Mallucci

One of the root causes of degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's is abnormally shaped proteins that stick together.

Enough of these proteins can trigger a reaction whereby the brain's neurons shuts down production of protein in the brain. This ultimately leads to the death of these brain cells.

The drug tested by the Medical Research Council, which was injected into sick mice, turns the production of protein back on. The mice had prion diseases, such a Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, which are also caused by the abnormally shaped proteins.

Five weeks after treatment one group of mice remained free of symptoms such as memory loss, impaired reflexes and limb dragging. They also lived longer than untreated animals with the same brain disease.

Lead scientist Professor Giovanna Mallucci, from the MRC Toxicology Unit at the University of Leicester, said: "We were extremely excited when we saw the treatment stop the disease in its tracks and protect brain cells, restoring some normal behaviours and preventing memory loss in the mice."

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However, scientists were keen to stress that a human tests for such treatments are a long way off:

"We're still a long way from a usable drug for humans - this compound had serious side effects", Professor Mallucci said.

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Are we any closer to a cure for degenerative brain disease?