US scientists have found that a protein that is produced when a patient has rheumatoid arthritis appears to protect against Alzheimers reports the BBC today.

In a study reported in the US Journal of Alzheimers Research, tests on mice with memory loss who were given the protein did better in tests.  The next step of this research is to see if this drug would work for people with Alzheimers.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is caused by the immune system attacking the body’s own tissue and can cause extreme joint pain.  People with this condition have their immune system going into hyperdrive and this causes the production of attacking proteins including one called GM-CSF.  This protein – in a synthetic version – is currently used in the treatment of cancer.

The connection between rheumatoid arthritis sufferers and protection from Alzheimers has been known for a while.  However, it was thought that the anti- inflamatory drugs given to patients were the cause of this protection until this recent study shed light on the matter.

Following the 20 day study on mice with dementia, planning of trials on people is due to begin in the US.