Scientists from the University of Sussex (U.K.) have developed a new protein, comparable to one that causes Alzheimer’s, in an effort to better understand why the disease causes nerve cells to die.

The Amyloid-beta (Abeta) protein, which sticks together to make amyloid fibrils and form clumps in the neurons of the brain, causes the cells to die, effectively causing Alzheimer’s. Scientists set out to better understand why this sticking of cells causes brain cells to die and determine whether the Abeta proteins cause different effects.

In order to study the effect the Abeta protein has on the brain, scientists created a new protein that acts as a model for the Abeta that contains two different amino acids. The new protein does not form the sticky clumps and is non-toxic to nerve cells. This new protein will give scientist a new look into Alzheimer’s and why Abeta causes it.

“Understanding how the brain protein Abeta causes nerve cell death in Alzheimer's patients is key if we are to find a cure for this disease,” said Karen Marshall, MD, leader of the study. “Our study clearly shows that the aggregation of Abeta into bigger species is critical in its ability to kill cells. Stopping the protein aggregating in people with Alzheimer's could slow down the progression symptoms of the disease. We hope to work towards finding a strategy to do this in the lab and reverse the damaging effects of toxic Abeta."