Beta blockers work by reducing activity in the sympathetic nervous system, which is one of the two major branches of the body's stress (or fight-and-flight) system.
Researchers in Iceland identified a rare genetic mutation that slows the activity of an enzyme called beta secretase, which is required to produce amyloid-beta.
Using mice as subjects, the team found that the more lactate was present in certain areas (lactate is a product of neuronal activity), the more amyloid-beta peptide was also present.
The researchers said drugs that enhance the activity of calcineurin or NFAT could become a new treatment for type-2 diabetes, in which the beta cells do not produce enough insulin.