Nasal spray with extracellular vesicles protected memory in mice with Alzheimer's disease

Scientists have developed an experimental nasal spray that protected nerve cells and helped preserve memory in mice with Alzheimer's disease. This was reported by scientists whose work was published in the journal Translational Neurodegeneration (TN).

The spray is based on extracellular vesicles - microscopic bubbles that cells use to transport biologically active substances. The researchers obtained them from the amniotic membrane of the placenta and administered them through the nose to mice with a model of Alzheimer's disease. The particles were able to penetrate the brain and reach the hippocampus, an area important for memory.

The therapy reduced neuroinflammation, protected neurons, and improved the functioning of synapses—the connections through which nerve cells exchange signals. As a result, the animals performed better on tests of spatial, working and recognition memory. Moreover, the treatment helped both prevent the occurrence of memory problems and reduce existing problems. Positive effects were also found in laboratory experiments with human neurons.

According to the authors, the results open up a promising direction for creating treatments for Alzheimer's disease that affect inflammation and the environment surrounding neurons. However, so far the method has only been tested in animal and cell models.