Margaret C. Barr, D.V.M., Ph.D.
Vaccine Research Institute of San Diego
San Diego, California

2003 Investigator-Initiated Research Grant

The beta-amyloid protein fragment is believed to be a key toxic factor in Alzheimer’s disease. One strategy for altering the course of the disease is to prompt an immune system attack against beta-amyloid. In the first human trials using this approach, participants received a modified form of the protein fragment. The trials were stopped when some participants developed inflammation in the brain.

In this study, the researchers will test a variation of this treatment that may stimulate an immune system response while avoiding inflammation. They will also be examining whether there is an animal model that effectively predicts the safety of such Alzheimer “vaccines” in humans.

The researchers will use a nondisease-causing hepatitis virus as a “package” to deliver a partial segment of the beta-amyloid molecule to the brain. They will test the immune system response to this vaccine, as well as two variant anti-amyloid vaccines, in mice that are genetically altered to produce human beta-amyloid and in guinea pigs. The outcome of this research may provide essential background information for drug development as new anti-amyloid treatment strategies are advanced from animal model studies to human trials.