Dopamine Shows Promise in Reducing Alzheimer's Plaques

Japanese researchers find dopamine treatments increase enzyme activity that breaks down harmful brain plaques in mice, offering potential for new therapies.

Dopamine boosts neprilysin, an enzyme that degrades beta-amyloid plaques linked to Alzheimer's.
L-DOPA treatment in mice led to reduced plaques and improved memory function.
Neprilysin levels naturally decrease with age, potentially serving as an early Alzheimer's biomarker.
Further research needed to understand dopamine's regulation of neprilysin and manage L-DOPA's side effects.
Human trials are required to confirm the effectiveness of dopamine-based treatments for Alzheimer's.