Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Dec 08, 2025 45 minutes ago
Medical News: A New Era in Alzheimer’s Research
Scientists from the University of Algarve in Portugal have made a major breakthrough in the search for treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. Their extensive review of studies has highlighted the remarkable potential of a special group of metal-based compounds known as polyoxometalates—or POMs—as promising new tools in the fight against this devastating neurodegenerative condition.
Scientists discover how metal-based compounds can stop and reverse brain plaque buildup in Alzheimer’s patients
This
Medical News report explores how these compounds, especially those made from tungsten and molybdenum, are offering new hope by targeting key disease mechanisms in unique and powerful ways.
What Are Polyoxometalates and Why Do They Matter
Polyoxometalates are complex clusters made from metal and oxygen atoms. Originally explored for industrial and energy applications, they’ve recently gained attention for their biological effects. POMs can be designed in many forms, including pure compounds, hybrids, and nanoparticles. Their ability to pass through the blood–brain barrier and interact directly with molecules that cause brain damage in Alzheimer’s patients has generated excitement in the medical community.
The researchers—Manuel Aureliano, João Mateus, and David Manjua Rijo—are affiliated with the Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Centro de Ciências do Mar do Algarve (CCMAR/CIMAR LA), and the Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, all part of the University of Algarve in Faro, Portugal.
Key Findings from the Research
Over 30 different studies from 2011 to 2025 were analyzed. The majority focused on POMs' ability to block or even reverse the harmful clumping of β-amyloid proteins in the brain—a key feature of Alzheimer’s. Several types of POMs not only prevented these toxic protein clusters from forming but also helped disassemble existing ones, especially when combined with light-based therapies like UV or near-infrared radiation.
Other benefits observed included:
-Reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain
-Protection of nerve cells from toxic damage
-Ability to block acetylcholinesterase—an enzyme often targeted by current Alzheimer’s drugs
-Sequestration of harmful metals like copper and zinc that worsen Alzheimer symptoms
-Restoration of memory and cognitive function in experimental models
Some versions of POMs even acted like tiny enzymes, cleaning up damaging molecules and showing potential as drug carriers across the blood–brain barrier.
Why This Matters
These findings represent a major leap forwa
rd in Alzheimer’s research. Unlike existing treatments that mainly manage symptoms, POMs could directly interfere with the underlying causes of the disease. Their ability to work on multiple fronts—clearing plaques, calming inflammation, and protecting neurons—makes them a powerful multi-target approach. However, further toxicology and human trials are still needed before clinical use.
While the science is still evolving, this research paves the way for a new generation of Alzheimer’s treatments with greater effectiveness and fewer side effects. This could significantly change how the disease is managed in the coming years.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: BioChem
https://www.mdpi.com/2673-6411/5/4/41
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