Friday, 6th January 2006 (5933 views)

Scientists have developed a new technique using gold nanoparticles that may be able to halt or slow Alzheimer's disease.

Chemists from Chile and Spain have trialled a new 'molecular surgery' technique using the yellow metal and believe it could represent the breakthrough the industry has been searching for.

The scientists coated a cluster of beta amyloid fibrils - thought to contribute to mental decline among Alzheimer's patients - with gold nanoparticles.

The mixture was then exposed to weak microwave fields and the fibrils subsequently dissolved for over a week.

The scientists concluded that the technique could be used to break up fibrils and, perhaps, even stop them from re-aggregating.

The research - which will be published in next week's edition of the American Chemical Society's Nano Letters - also showed that the technique would not harm healthy brain cells.

It is believed the technique could be used to treat other neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Huntington's.

Gold nanoparticles have been involved in a number of recent medical breakthroughs.

Similar techniques have recently been developed to label and destroy cancel cells.

 

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