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Scientists have discovered the use of simple single-celled amoeba that will help them understand the function of human proteins that is responsible for Alzheimer's disease. 

The study performed by researchers at Royal Holloway, University of London and the Institute of Psychiatry King's College London noted how amoeba will help in developing a better understanding of the function of these Alzheimer's disease-associated proteins in the cell. They also said it doesn't require any testing on animals. 

The main cause of inherited forms of Alzheimer's disease is the mutations in presenilin proteins. These also play a vital role in the age-related onset of the condition. 

As cells lacking the protein are non-viable, to develop an understanding of the roles of these proteins are difficult. 

The research analyzed Presenilin proteins extensively and usually animals are used in this research area. But, these experiments are problematic since deletion of the proteins in animal cells might cause a loss of viability.

"This discovery allows us to examine the role for the human presenilin 1 protein, without the use of animal testing. It is amazing that so simple an organism lends itself to the study of such a complex disease," said Professor Robin Williams from the School of Biological Sciences at Royal Holloway, in a press release.

"This work on the amoeba Dictyostelium shows we can successfully use this simple model to try to better understand the normal roles of other proteins and genes involved in Alzheimer's disease and other forms of neurodegeneration," added Dr Richard Killick from the Institute of Psychiatry King's College London.

The study is published in the Journal of Cell Science.