Study: Presence of Wayward Molecule in Brain May Signal Alzheimer's

A receptor protein molecule called CCR1 has been found in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease, according to a study to be reported in the November issue of the Annals of Neurology.

Not normally present in the brain, CCR1 is usually found in the human body on the surface of immune system cells such as white blood cells, and helps direct them to the site of injury.

The discovery adds to evidence suggesting that increased levels of CCR1 in the brain correlate with the advancement of Alzheimer's disease.

"Our research has demonstrated that CCR1 is evident in the brains of patients very early in the disease process, even in patients with mild cognitive impairment," said lead researcher Dr. Meredith Halks-Miller, head of pharmacopathology for Berlex Pharmaceuticals.

Halks-Miller said CCR1 is present in the fibers of the brain associated with a molecule called amyloid beta, which builds up and creates the plaques associated with Alzheimer's.

Since there are currently no specific diagnostic tests for Alzheimer's, Dr. Edgar Salazar-Grueso, vice president of clinical development at Berlex, said targeting CCR1 has the potential to identify Alzheimer's at its earliest stages and track its progression.

Other sources: Berlex Pharmaceuticals