Scientists at the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (UOCB) in Prague have developed a new molecules that reduce appetite and protect the brain against Alzheimer’s disease.

The institute said in a statement that researchers from Dr. Lenka Maletínská team developed a new molecule taken from the so-called neuropeptide "CART”, which naturally regulates food intake in the brain. A modified version of it was created that suppresses appetite and reduces the accumulation of the protein "Tau” associated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

The institute pointed out that one-fifth of the Czech population suffers from obesity, and that according to estimates, in the year 2025, there will be about half a million people living in the Czech Republic who have some brain problems, and that the number of those currently being treated for these problems is about 200 thousand people.