A new research study shows the common asthma drug, Salbutamol, as a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease. There are currently no effective treatments being used at this time.
However, this early-stage study has revealed that repurposing an existing drug, salbutamol, may offer a low cost and rapid response option. The team of researchers performed analytical in-vitro experiments to show how Salbutamol is capable of reducing the accumulation of insoluble fibers of tau protein. In advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease, tau protein accumulates forming neurofibrillary tangles. This causes brain cell death and neuronal destabilization.
This study, led by researchers at Lancaster University, utilized a novel 'high throughput' screening technique to investigate the structure of the misfolding tau protein with a special analytical technique called 'Synchrotron Radiation Circular Dichroism' (SRCD) in Oxfordshire. Researchers were able to look at a selection of more than 80 existing compounds and drugs simultaneously to determine the ability to prevent the formation of tau fibrils.
This method showed epinephrine as an effective compound for stabilizing the tau proteins and preventing the formation of tau tangles. Additionally, the researchers revealed four current drugs as possible candidates - etamivan, fenoterol, dobutamine and salbutamol.
Etaminvan and fenoterol were found to have minimal effect on the assembly of tau tangles. Dobutamine, a compound used for heart failure, was found to have some benefit but its high rate of metabolism and intravenous administration limits its use as a therapy.
Additional tests showed the analytical techniques all revealed salbutamol could inhibit tau aggregation in vitro. It is thought that salbutamol interacts with an early stage of tau fibril formation, reducing their ability to form an initial nucleus which drives the aggregation process. Because it is easily ingested, absorbed into the brain, and remains in the body for several hours, salbutamol is a great candidate for a new treatment for Alzheimer's.