CHICAGO, Oct 27, 2004 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- University of Illinois researchers report early success in injecting antibodies to dissolve the plaques in brain tissue associated with Alzheimer's disease.

When injected into the brains of mice, antibodies against a plaque protein retarded growth of the plaques by up to two months without adverse side effects.

"By injecting the antibodies directly into the brain, we were able to circumvent the problems others have encountered in developing a vaccine for this terrible disease," said Neelima Chauhan, research assistant professor at the university's Chicago College of Medicine.

In a single injection, she delivered the antibody into the third ventricle, a narrow cavity located between the two hemispheres of the brain, and then examined the animals' brain tissue at one, four and eight weeks.

Since the antibody did not have to circulate throughout the mouse's body where it might be absorbed, Chauhan was able to use a smaller dose than in other passive immunization studies.

At one and four weeks, the density of amyloid protein was 67 percent less than in control animals. Results of the study appear in the current issue of the Journal for Neuroscience Research.

• More news on Alzheimer's Disease

Related MedlinePlus Pages:

• Alzheimer's Disease