Hope for dementia and Parkinson’s disease as scientists find driver for diseases affecting brain function

Scientists believe they have found the culprit behind nearly all neurological diseases, in a breakthrough that could offer hope to millions of people.

Dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and many other brain disorders are caused by key cells called neurons that die off over time.

Researchers have now found that other brain cells – called astrocytes – play a “critical role” in their death.

The star-shaped cells usually help remove toxic particles that build up in the brain naturally or after a head injury, and are believed to nourish neurons.

But lab tests in mice show that astrocytes also release toxic fatty acids to kill damaged neurons, confirming a suspicion many neurologists have had for years.

Principal investigator Professor Shane Liddelow, New York University, said: “Our results show that toxic fatty acids produced by astrocytes play a critical role in brain cell death.”

He added that the results “provide a promising new target for treating, and possibly even preventing, many neurodegenerative diseases.”

Scientists say neurons killing toxic fatty acids produced by a type cell called an astrocyte could be the driving force behind almost any disease that affects brain function, like dementia

Dementia is the leading cause of death in the UK and the developed world, due to modern habits and increasing life expectancy. It kills just over 66,000 Britons each year, the equivalent of one every 10 minutes.

Neurologists are rushing to develop treatments but still do not fully understand some key aspects of the disease, such as what triggers the disease in some cases.

Astrocytes – which take the shape of a star – were known to keep brain neurons nourished and healthy and to regulate blood flow.

But NYU scientists say they’re also responsible for destroying decaying neurons.

After coming up with the theory that two fatty acids were to blame, the NYU researchers tested it on mice with brain damage.

They genetically engineered half of the rodents to stop the production of long-chain saturated free fatty acids and phosphatidylcholines, and compared them to a control group.

In the modified mice, 75% of the neurons survived, while in the normal mice, only 10% of the neurons survived.

The results confirm widely held beliefs that astrocytes produced a neuron-killing molecule to “clear up” damaged cells.

But the exact nature of the removal process has not been understood.

It is not known why astrocytes produce the toxins, but Prof Liddelow and his colleagues said it was possible that they evolved to destroy damaged neurons before they could harm their neighbors.

Writing in the journal Nature, he speculated that this normally useful process could become a rogue in diseases like dementia.

He said their discovery could prove revolutionary in future research to treat diseases of the brain.

But Professor Liddelow warned that the technique used in mice is not ready for use on humans.

However, he added that the researchers’ next plan is to develop ways to use the treatment in humans.

Professor Liddelow has declared a financial interest in this study because he owns a stake in AstronauTx, a company targeting astrocytes as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.

WHAT IS DEMENTIA? THE MORAL ILLNESS THAT STEALS SUFFERING FROM THEIR MEMORIES

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological disorders

A GLOBAL CONCERN

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders (those that affect the brain) that impact memory, thinking, and behavior.

There are many types of dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most common.

Some people can have a combination of types of dementia.

Regardless of the type diagnosed, each person will experience their dementia in their own way.

Dementia is a global concern, but it is most often seen in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live to very old age.

HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED?

The Alzheimer Society reports that there are more than 850,000 people with dementia in the UK today, of which over 500,000 have Alzheimer’s disease.

It is estimated that the number of people with dementia in the UK by 2025 will reach over one million.

In the United States, it is estimated that there are 5.5 million people with Alzheimer’s disease. A similar percentage increase is expected in the coming years.

As a person’s age increases, the risk of developing dementia also increases.

Diagnosis rates are improving, but it is believed that many people with dementia still go undiagnosed.

IS THERE A HEALING?

There is currently no cure for dementia.

But new drugs can slow its progression and the earlier it is detected, the more effective the treatments.

Source: Alzheimer Society