Researchers may be closer to finding a cure for Alzheimer's after discovering a molecule that fights off the degenerative disease.

Alzheimer's could be treated by the use of a molecular inhibitor molecule that may be able to halt the development of the disease. This disorder is the result of amyloid fibrils, a form of protein, improperly becoming attached to other proteins. The results are clusters of the structures, eventually leading to the loss of cognitive function.

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"A great deal of work in this field has gone into understanding which microscopic processes are important in the development of Alzheimer's disease", said researcher Samuel Cohen from St John's College at Cambridge University.

"Now we are now starting to reap the rewards of this hard work. Our study shows, for the first time, one of these critical processes being specifically inhibited, and reveals that by doing so we can prevent the toxic effects of protein aggregation that are associated with this terrible condition,"

Brichos, a molecule now shown to halt the progression of the disease, develops naturally in the human body, researchers said. It acts as a molecular chaperone, attaching to dysfunctional proteins and preventing them from forming the dangerous clusters.

Prevention of toxic protein clusters is considered a goal of researchers looking to develop treatments for Alzheimer's. Recognition of the role Brichos plays in this process could lead to new drugs designed to treat the disease.

Proteins work by folding into particular shapes. But if they misfold, they can start a deadly chain reaction that leads to clusters called oligomers. This phenomenon can damage nerve cells and potentially lead to Alzheimer's.

Researchers believe the next steps are to look for molecules that have similar effects and work towards using them to develop groundbreaking new therapies.

The study appeared in the journal Nature Structural & Molecular Biology.

TagsAlzheimer, Molecule, Brichos, Alzheimer treatment, degenerative disease, molecular inhibitor molecule