Scientists at Northwestern University used a novel compound to arrest early stages of Alzheimer’s disease in mice — setting the stage, if all goes well, for a groundbreaking treatment in which the debilitating condition can be controlled like high cholesterol. This specific type of protein was associated with brain inflammation that shows up before people are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. “There are a couple early diagnostic blood tests for Alzheimer’s disease in development,” he said. Besides Alzheimer’s disease, the NU-9 has proved effective against Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and possibly frontotemporal degeneration, all three of which involve the appearance of toxic protein in brains. More on Alzheimer’s disease: Scientists Intrigued by Old Drug That Reverses Signs of Alzheimer’s in Mice