Korean researchers have discovered a new function of a protein involved in causing Alzheimer's disease.

A team at Seoul National University led by Professor Jung Yong-keun discovered that the protein, a FC-gamma receptor, causes dementia by cumulating toxic substances in the brain.

The team experimented on lab mice with dementia and found that when the receptor was removed, neural toxic substances decreased and reduced memory capacity improved.

By blocking the interaction of the receptors and other dementia-related proteins, the discovery is expected to be used in developing a cure for the disease.

The finding is published in an international journal on clinical medicine.