Korean and American scientists have just completed the first human trial to investigate the possibility of using the "brain-eating" worm C. elegans to treat Alzheimer's disease. After administering a harmless dose of the worm larvae to mice, researchers monitored the rodents for three weeks to see if, over a longer term, they were able to slow down or even reverse memory loss or neurological damage caused by dementia. The experiment was conducted by a team at Sungkyunkwan University along with scientists from other top Korean universities. The trial followed two published studies that found that worms can slow down memory loss and increase brain size in mice. In a new study, the team, led by Dr. Young Sik Kim of the university's Neuroscience Institute, discovered that the "brain-eating" worm larvae had the potential to reverse the effects of Alzheimer's in the laboratory. According to a press release, researchers were very encouraged that the worms could "reversal the Alzheimer's pathology on mice by more than 30%." In another study, "the same researchers found that the worms significantly decreased cognitive deterioration of rodents suffering from cognitive impairments." Of course, the experiment doesn't mean that future humans who develop Alzheimer's could actually benefit as long as they were consuming sufficient omega-3 fish oils to prevent the buildup of toxic omega-6 fatty acids. However, it may help people with dementia or dementia patients. Cognitive tests were taken the first two weeks after treatment and after that the mice took part in daily water exercises. A memory test was also taken by the third week. In a follow-up experiment, more memory tests were taken and the same results were obtained. The researchers found the worms helped reverse the memory abnormalities in mice. Dr. Kim said, "This study suggests that C. elegans is suitable as a dietary feeder for patients, since they can reverse the effects of Alzheimer's disease by feeding on healthy brain cells and by reducing the size of brain cells. Further studies are necessary, however, to confirm these findings." As the study was conducted on mice, it might take another couple of years to see if the same results are observed in humans. However, the results of this study suggest that the worm could be beneficial to Alzheimer's disease patients who are consuming ample foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. If it does turn out to be true, the worm's brains are likely similar to those of people suffering from dementia in their ability to store new memories and process them faster. In other words, the worms may be able to "jump the memory" and retrieve data even before memory deficits have manifested themselves. More studies will need to be done to find out how the worm prevents dementia damage while boosting healthy cells.