Technion biochemist Moussa Youdim and his colleagues have isolated an extract from green tea that may be effective in pre-empting the ravages of Alzheimer?s and other neuro-degenerative diseases. In animal trials, EGCG, extracted from green tea, has prevented neuronal damage from a protein called Abeta APP, associated with lesions found in the brains of Alzheimer?s patients.
The Iranian born, Oxford educated scientist is also working in conjunction with Professor of Pharmacology Marta Weinstock of the H. U. Hadassah Medical School on a related drug called TV-3326. The Israeli firm Teva is currently running tests to determine the efficacy of TV-3326, designed to treat nerve damage from those already suffering from neuro-degenerative diseases.
The market potential for both these drugs is enormous given the fact that in the U.S. alone there are currently 7-8 million sufferers and the likelihood of more given increasing life spans.
The Iranian born, Oxford educated scientist is also working in conjunction with Professor of Pharmacology Marta Weinstock of the H. U. Hadassah Medical School on a related drug called TV-3326. The Israeli firm Teva is currently running tests to determine the efficacy of TV-3326, designed to treat nerve damage from those already suffering from neuro-degenerative diseases.
The market potential for both these drugs is enormous given the fact that in the U.S. alone there are currently 7-8 million sufferers and the likelihood of more given increasing life spans.