Researchers at the St. Louis University School of Medicine believe the anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin might be good for treating Alzheimer’s disease.
Two studies support the premise that toxic levels of amyloid beta protein, the substance scientists believe causes Alzheimer’s, accumulate in the brain because of the malfunction of a transporter known as LRP that normally removes the material from the brain.
“LRP malfunctions like a stop light stuck on red, and keeps amyloid beta protein trapped in the brain,” said Dr. William A. Banks, a professor of geriatrics and pharmacological and physiological science at the school.
Banks believes inflammation may be the culprit for the LRP malfunction, and he believes indomethacin, an anti-inflammatory, can be used as a buffer to prevent LRP from being turned off.
“We induced inflammation in mice and found that it turned off the LRP pump that lets amyloid beta protein exit the brain into the bloodstream,” he said. “It also revved up an entrance pump that transports amyloid beta into the brain. Both of these actions would increase the amount of amyloid beta protein in the brain.”
Giving mice indomethacin prevented inflammation that would turn off the LRP pump.
“Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, especially indomethacin, have been associated with protection against Alzheimer’s disease,” Banks said. “Our work could influence that debate and thinking at the patient-care level.”
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