Llama and camel blood could help cure brain disorders

Small proteins found in the blood of llamas and camels could lead to groundbreaking treatments for brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Special molecules known as nanobodies are miniature versions of antibodies that help the immune system fight disease.

They were first discovered in the 1990s in members of the camelid family, including camels, llamas and alpacas, and are about one-tenth the size of conventional antibodies.

Unlike traditional antibody-based drugs, which often fail to penetrate the brain’s natural protective barrier, nanobodies are small enough to pass through and target brain cells directly.

Researchers believe this could lead to more effective treatments with fewer side effects.

Professor Philippe Rondard, from France’s National Center for Science Research (CNRS), said: “Camellian nanobodies open a new era in biological treatments for brain disorders and revolutionize the way we think about treatment. We believe they could create a new class of drugs between traditional antibodies and small molecules.”

Experts say the findings could be a major step forward in the search for safer, smarter treatments for neurological diseases.