Generally, in the brains of Alzheimer's patients, this amyloid beta peptide builds up and blocks communication between cells; the ultrasound waves appear to stimulate microglia cells, which attack unwanted things in the brain -- including the plaque. The Australian team plans on testing the ultrasound treatment on sheep with Alzheimer's, before progressing to human trials.

Alzheimer's remains largely mysterious, but the veil is slowly lifting -- researchers are hopeful that there will be a treatment or even (knock on wood) a cure in the coming years, spurred by more precise imaging techniques, emerging ways to catch the disease early and a better understanding of how it works. Alzheimer's recently claimed the life of Sir Terry Pratchett, author of the Discworld series and an all-around brilliant, witty writer. In a statement about Pratchett's passing, his publisher included a link to help raise money for Alzheimer's research charity RICE.