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Computer model of Alzheimer’s disease wins European recognition


October 1, 2014

A computer model developed by Dr.Douglas Gray and his U.K. collaborators in 2013 was named the August 2014 bio-model of the month by the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL). The model explores how antibody-based interventions might be useful in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Specifically, Dr. Gray made use of clinical observations to develop a computer model of Alzheimer's disease progression. The model addresses the molecular pathways that connect the two recurrent features of Alzheimer's disease – the plaques and tangles – and was used to explore the potential use of immunization against the amyloid protein that is found in plaques. The model predicts that an immunization strategy is unlikely to work unless it is implemented very early in the disease’s progression. Read more here.

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