Gradually depleting an enzyme called BACE1 reversed the formation of amyloid plaques in the brains of mice with Alzheimer’s disease, according to Cleveland Clinic researchers.

“To our knowledge, this is the first observation of such a dramatic reversal of amyloid deposition in any study of Alzheimer’s disease mouse models,” said Riqiang Yan, Ph.D., the incoming chairman of the department of neuroscience at the University of Connecticut.

The data indicates BACE1 inhibitors have potential to treat Alzheimer’s disease without unwanted toxicity, he added.