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The researchers, from Florida’s Mayo Clinic, have worked out how to speed up the activity of a molecule, insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), which helps chew up the amyloid proteins associated with Alzheimer’s in the brain. Their findings are published in PLoS ONE.

IDE is shaped like a clamshell, which opens and shuts, like the videogame character Pac-Man. Amyloid plaques fit inside the ‘Pac-Man’ enzyme, which then closes, gobbling up the protein inside.

Rebecca Wood, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, said:

“The amyloid protein that forms plaques in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s has long been a target for researchers trying to develop new treatments. There are different approaches to tackling the build-up of this protein, like blocking it from forming or breaking it down.

“This fascinating technique, using the ‘Pac-Man’ enzyme, suggests it may be possible to help the body break amyloid down. The work is at very early stages in the laboratory, but every avenue must be explored. With more research, this study could lead us towards the treatments we so desperately need.

“Alzheimer’s and other dementias afflict 30 million people worldwide. We must vastly increase our efforts to find new treatments and preventions for this terrible condition.”

Dr Malcolm Leissring, the study’s lead researcher from Mayo’s Department of Neuroscience, said:

"This study describes the first examples of synthetic small-molecule activators of IDE, showing that activation of this important enzyme with druglike compounds is achievable.

"If it is possible to generate drugs for human use that stimulate the activity of IDE, these agents might offer therapeutic benefit for treating and preventing Alzheimer's disease."