Nanoparticles repair brain barrier, reverse Alzheimer’s in mice

A novel nanotechnology-based therapy using “supramolecular drugs” has demonstrated promising results in reversing Alzheimer’s disease in mouse models by targeting the blood-brain barrier (BBB) rather than neurons directly. Developed collaboratively by the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) and West China Hospital, Sichuan University, these engineered nanoparticles restore the BBB’s function, which is crucial for protecting the brain and clearing toxic proteins like amyloid-beta (Aβ). In treated mice, a significant reduction (50-60%) in brain Aβ levels was observed within an hour after injection, and long-term treatment led to behavioral and memory recovery comparable to that of healthy younger mice. The therapy works by reactivating the LRP1 protein, a molecular gatekeeper responsible for transporting Aβ across the BBB for elimination. In Alzheimer’s, this clearance system is impaired, but the nanoparticles mimic LRP1 ligands, binding to Aβ and restoring the brain’s natural waste disposal mechanism. This breaks