PITT COUNTY, N.C. — Researchers at East Carolina University made a discovery in their Alzheimer’s research that could help in treating the disease.
- East Carolina University researchers discover clusters, or rods, in neurons that form when the cells are under stress
- Dr. Robert Hughes this is something drug makers and therapies should work to prevent
- The Alzheimer’s Association predicts roughly 14 million people could be diagnosed with the disease by 2050 as people continue to live longer
Dr. Robert Hughes at ECU said his lab discovered clusters, or rods, in neurons that form when the cells are under stress.
He said this is something drug makers and therapies should work to prevent.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 5.8 million people in the U.S. suffer from the disease.
They predict that by 2050 that number will more than double to 14 million as people continue to live longer.
Dr. Robert Hughes, Biological Chemistry Researcher
“People are going to be dealing more and more with family members who are facing neurodegenerative disease. Also, there’s just a lack of effective therapies for these conditions,” said Hughes.
The next step is to being animal trials.