Researchers from the University of Central Florida have discovered previously unknown findings that may be useful in developing a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the leading ailments in the elderly that scientists are trying to develop a cure for. Nutritional supplements such as vitamins B6 and B12 may help lower the risk factor by blocking the high levels of homocysteine. High levels of the amino acid occur when a patient is suffering from the disease.

The scientists replicated the impact of very low amyloid-beta concentrations on healthy brain cells to create the same effect of developing Alzheimer’s. They discovered that while there may not be outward damage to the brain, which results in behavioral clues, there are instances of electrical signals that are prevented from traveling through the cells.

These findings have given hope to other scientists that there may be a way to determine the early stages of Alzheimer’s, potentially preventing the disease before it’s too late.

“This opens up a whole series of important questions, and answering them may lead to alternative drugs or other agents to benefit Alzheimer’s patients,” explained Alzheimer’s expert Dave Morgan, who reviewed the study.