USA — Scientists have found a way to target toxic particles that destroys healthy brain cells and leads to illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease, according to a new study published in the journal PNAS.<br /><br />Alzheimer's disease causes the brain to shrink dramatically over time, which leads to memory loss, personality changes along with other symptoms.<br /><br />Researchers have identified the toxic particles, small clumps of protein known as oligomers, as the most likely cause of dementia.<br /><br />Proteins in the brain are usually responsible for vital cell processes, however when they form clumps and start to build up, they start killing healthy nerve cells instead.<br /><br />Researchers involved developed small molecules which would target oligomers and work to slow down the formation of these toxic particles.<br /><br />The study claims their method was the first to directly target the toxic oligomers.<br /><br />Alzheimer's disease affects millions of people worldwide and the team hopes the study would lead to the development of new drugs to treat the disease in a few years.