Potato offers new Alzheimer's clue

A virus known to affect potatoes has been found to bear a "striking resemblance" to a protein witnessed in the development of Alzheimer's disease, it has been noted.

Using this information, researchers have developed antibodies that may slow or even prevent the onset of the degenerative condition, Medical News Today reports.

So far, studies on mice have revealed that vaccinations with the amyloid beta protein can slow the progression of the disease, believed to possibly be due to a promotion of the destruction of amyloid plaques.

Although human trials were also implemented, with promising results, they were discontinued due to the risk of autoimmune encephalitis.

Robert Friedland and colleagues, in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, speculated that the potato virus is commonly occurring but poses no risk to humans.

In related news, synthetic molecules developed from the natural compound curcumin, which is found in turmeric, could reduce and prevent the spread of cancer cells, according to scientists in Ohio.