Microscopic image of the brain of a mouse treated with the new nanoparticle-based therapy | IBEC

A scientific team co-led from Spain by the Institute of Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) and the Western China Hospital of Sichuan University (WCHSU), have achieved promising progress against Alzheimer’s in animal models. The new therapy uses nanoparticles that actively act as drugs, not just carriers, to restore blood-brain barrier (BBB) ​​function, essential for removing toxins from the brain.

After administering just three doses, researchers observed a 50-60% reduction in amyloid-β (Aβ) protein levels in the brain just one hour after injection. Over time, the treated mice recovered behaviors similar to those of healthy animals, even when they already showed advanced cognitive impairment.

The secret of success lies in the fact that the nanoparticles do not act directly on the neurons, but rather restore the cerebral vascular system. In this way, the natural cleaning of the brain is reactivated by allowing the controlled passage of toxic proteins into the blood.

Although the results in mice are spectacular, scientists warn that safety and efficacy in humans still need to be validated. This approach opens an alternative path that complements the more conventional strategies in the fight against this neurodegenerative disease.