LBD Vaccine Shows Promise in Mice

A June 15, 2005, press release from the University of California at San Diego reported on a vaccine that appears to show promise in treating Lewy body disease in mice.

The vaccine consists of the protein (human alpha-synuclein) that forms Lewy bodies in the brains of people with LBD and Parkinson's disease. It was injected into mice that were bred to have Lewy bodies. Subsequently, the mice developed antibodies to the Lewy body protein, which resulted in reduced levels of the protein.

Apparently, the approach used to treat mice has to be adapted for humans, and this could take many years.

The University of California researchers did this work with scientists at Elan Pharmaceuticals. That company has been working for years on a vaccine for the protein that forms the plaque in Alzheimer's disease. While the early version of the vaccine was effective in mice, it caused brain inflammation in humans. They have been working to improve it.

The scientific paper appeared in the journal Neuron and the abstract is available for free.