Nanoparticle Therapy Reverses Alzheimer’s Progression in Mice

Researchers at the University of South Carolina have developed a nanoparticle-based treatment that appears to improve performance on standard memory and learning tests as well as reduce brain inflammation and levels of amyloid-beta in mice with Alzheimer’s disease by converting star-shaped brain cells called astrocytes into functioning neurons.

Alzheimer’s disease remains irreversible largely because the adult brain cannot replace lost neurons; Wang et al . present a Nano-ERASER-based Trim-Away system that enables adult neuroregeneration in Alzheimer’s brain. Image credit: Wang et al ., doi: 10.1016/j.celbio.2026.100575.

“Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent cause of dementia and remains without a therapy capable of reversing cognitive decline,” said University of South Carolina’s Professor Peisheng Xu and colleagues.

“Pathologically, Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by extracellular Aβ deposition, neurofibrillary tangles composed of hyperphosphorylated tau, synaptic loss, and neuronal death.”