IIT Guwahati research to combat Alzheimer’s.
                     IIT Guwahati research 
to combat Alzheimer’s
Introduction
• Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has worked on 
out-of-the-box ideas that can help prevent or reduce short-term memory 
losses associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Source: Google image
What is Alzheimer’s?
• Alzheimer's disease is a progressive disorder that causes 
brain cells to degenerate and die.
• Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause 
of dementia — a continuous decline in thinking, 
behavioural and social skills.
Source: Google image
Risk factor in Alzheimer’s disease 
• Exposure to lead can be a risk factor in Alzheimer’s 
disease.
• Its role as a risk factor in the development of neuro-
degenerative diseases has been established globally.
Source: Google image
Method Used
• The team proposed the application of a low-voltage electric field.
• The use of ‘trojan peptides’ to arrest aggregation of neurotoxin 
molecules.
• They are associated with short-term memory loss due to 
Alzheimer’s disease - in the brain.
Source: Google image
Role of electric/magnetic field
• In 2019, the IIT Guwahati scientists found that application 
of a low-voltage.
• They found that external electric/magnetic field modulates 
the structure of these peptide molecules, thereby 
preventing aggregation.
Source: Google image
Exposure to electric field
• “Upon exposure to electric field, we could retard the 
degeneration of nerve cells to an extent of 17–35%. 
• Objectively, this would translate to about 10 years delay in 
the onset of the disease”, says Dr. Ramakrishnan.
Source: Google image
Testing Model
• It would take testing in animal models and clinical trials 
before bringing in such new therapeutic approaches into 
human treatment.
Source: Google image
Use of ‘Trojan peptides’
• The scientists explored the possibility of using ‘Trojan 
peptides’.
• The idea of using ‘Trojan peptide’ comes from mythological 
“Trojan Horse” used as subterfuge by the Greeks in the 
battle of Troy.
Source: Google image
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