New research reveals that APOE immunotherapy can reduce cerebral amyloid angiopathy and amyloid plaques

As people age, a normal brain protein called amyloid beta (Aβ) often begins to accumulate in the brain into harmful amyloid plaques.

Several antibodies that target amyloid plaques have been studied as experimental treatments for Alzheimer's disease.

Now, in a new study, researchers from Washington University St.

Dr.

This side effect, called amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), can be seen on brain scans.

The mechanism of anti-amyloid antibodies is to alert the immune system to the presence of unwanted substances-amyloid plaques-and to guide inflammatory cells called microglia to remove these debris.

Fortunately, these researchers have one such antibody on hand: an antibody called HAE-4, which targets a specific form of human APOE and triggers the clearance of amyloid plaques in brain tissue.

Experiments have shown that treating these mice with HAE-4 for 8 weeks can reduce amyloid plaques in brain tissue and cerebral blood vessels.

Amyloid plaques in the blood vessels of the brain are dangerous because they can cause blockage or rupture, which can trigger a stroke.

Further research showed that HAE-4 and aducanumab initially caused similar immune responses against amyloid plaques.

Holtzman said, "Some people have cerebral amyloid vascular disease, but have never had Alzheimer's dementia, but they may suffer a stroke.

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