Asthma drug, are known to have benefits in inhibiting the formation of brain peptides (compounds), as beta amyloid, which causes Alzheimer's disease.
In the study, researchers at Temple University found that 5-lipoxygenase enzyme in the brain that controls the activation of gamma secretase, for the production of beta amyloid.
According to the American Journal of Pathology, March 2011 edition: When overproduced, beta amyloid causes the death of nerve cells and trigger the formation of plaque in the brain, used as a measure of the severity of Alzheimer's.
This research was led by Domenico Pratico, professor of pharmacology at Temple School of Medicine. Tested the drug zileuton, to cure asthma, through laboratory mice against Alzheimer's disease.
Found this drug could inhibit 5-lipoxygenase, thereby reducing the production of beta amyloid and amyloid plaques in the brain develop more than 50 percent.
"These drugs are already circulating in the market and most importantly has been approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Supervisory U.S. Agency)," says Pratico.