This Simple Amino Acid Supplement Greatly Reduces Alzheimer’s Damage
May 04, 2026 | Source: Science Daily | by Kindai University
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive brain disorder and a leading cause of dementia worldwide. Despite years of research, there is still no cure. New antibody-based treatments that target amyloid β (Aβ) have recently emerged, but their benefits have been modest. These therapies can also be expensive and may trigger immune-related side effects, underscoring the urgent need for safer, more affordable options that can slow the disease.
A recent study published in Neurochemistry International offers a surprising possibility. Researchers from Kindai University and partner institutions found that arginine, a naturally occurring amino acid, can reduce the buildup of harmful Aβ proteins in animal models of Alzheimer’s. Arginine also acts as a safe chemical chaperone, helping proteins maintain their proper structure.
The team noted that while arginine is widely available as an over-the-counter supplement, the doses and methods used in this study were specifically designed for research and are not the same as commercial products.
The research group included Graduate Student Kanako Fujii and Professor Yoshitaka Nagai from the Department of Neurology at Kindai University Faculty of Medicine in Osaka, along with Associate Professor Toshihide Takeuchi from the Life Science Research Institute at Kindai University.