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Scientists have discovered a potential approach to treating one of the most common causes of dementia and stroke in the elderly.
Studies with rats have shown that treatment can reverse changes in the blood vessels badociated with the brain.
The treatment also prevents damage to brain cells by these changes in blood vessels, which gives hope that it could offer treatment for dementia.
Damage to Brain Cells
Patients with MV are diagnosed with scintigraphies, which detect white matter lesions – a key component of brain wiring.
Up to now, it was not known how changes in the small blood vessels badociated with MV can cause brain cell damage
Blood Vessels
A team led by the # University of Edinburgh has discovered that MV occurs when the cells lining the small blood vessels in the brain become dysfunctional. This allows them to secrete a molecule in the brain.
The molecule stops the production of the protective layer surrounding brain cells – called myelin – which causes brain damage.
Treatment of rats with drugs that prevent blood vessel cells dysfunction reversed the symptoms of MV and prevented brain damage, tests were found
Promising Branch
Researchers say that other studies will need to test whether the treatment also works when the disease is firmly established. They will also need to check if the treatment can reverse the symptoms of dementia.
Dr. Sara Imarisio, research lead at Alzheimer Research UK said that the study has highlighted a promising direction for the search for treatments that could limit the damaging effects of blood vessels.
Small Vessel Disease
Small vessel disease, or MVP, is a major cause of dementia and may also worsen the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease
. This accounts for almost one in five cases.
It is estimated that nearly 47 million people in the world suffer from dementia, and the number of people affected is expected to double every year. 20 years, rising to more than 115 million by 2050.
The research, published in Science Translational Medicine, was conducted at the Center for Medical Research Center f or Regenerative Medicine and the UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Edinburgh. It has been funded by the MRC, Alzheimer's Research UK and the Leducq Foundation.
SOURCE: University of Edinburgh
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