Study finds arginine reduces amyloid buildup and inflammation in Alzheimer’s animal models

Mon, 04 May 2026 21:31:00 +0200

A new study from researchers at Kindai University suggests that arginine, a common and inexpensive amino acid, may help reduce key features of Alzheimer’s disease in animal models. Alzheimer’s, a leading cause of dementia, is marked by the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) proteins in the brain, which form toxic aggregates and contribute to neurodegeneration. While recent antibody-based treatments target these proteins, their benefits remain limited, and they can be costly and produce side effects.

In laboratory experiments, researchers found that arginine can inhibit the formation of Aβ42 aggregates, one of the most toxic forms of amyloid protein. The effect increased with higher concentrations of arginine. The team then tested oral arginine in two established models of Alzheimer’s disease: genetically modified fruit flies and mice carrying human Alzheimer’s-related mutations. In both models, arginine reduced amyloid accumulation and mitigated harmful effects.

In mice, the benefits