Scientists at Boston Biomedical Research Institute (BBRI) and the University of Pennsylvania have hit upon a new therapy for that can help prevent and destroy amyloids – structures linked to fatal brain disorders like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases.

The therapy comprises a novel two-chemical combination, one of which – EGCG - is commonly found in green tea, which may eventually make a significant contribution in controlling the amyloid
-based terminal brain disorders.

About the discovery, the study’s co-lead author, BBRI’s Dr Martin Duennwald, said: “These findings are significant because it is the first time a combination of specific chemicals has successfully destroyed diverse forms of amyloids at the same time. Our findings are certainly preliminary and we need further work to fully comprehend the effects of EGCG in combination with other chemicals on amyloids.”

While Duennwald had earlier displayed how exposure to chemical EGCG as well as DAPH-12 stalled amyloid production in yeast; the new study exposed two different amyloid structures (weak and strong) produced by yeast to EGCG.

It was discovered that while the EGCG was effective in dissolving the amyloids in the weaker version, it failed to affect the stronger amyloids. However, when the yeast amyloid structures were exposed to a combination of the EGCG and the DAPH-12, the researchers found that the diverse kinds of amyloid structures broke apart and dissolved.