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Rutgers researchers have discovered a new mechanism that may contribute to Alzheimer's disease and traumatic brain injury. They are now hoping to launch a clinical trial to test treatment in humans.
The causes of Alzheimer's disease are unknown, but a popular theory suggests that a protein known as beta-amyloid slowly accumulates a plaque in the brain of people with Alzheimer's disease . But in a recent study in the journal Cell death and diseaseFederico Sesti, professor of neuroscience and cell biology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, has examined a new mechanism involving non-amyloid beta protein, a potassium channel called KCNB1.
Under stress conditions in a brain affected by Alzheimer's disease, KCNB1 accumulates and becomes toxic to neurons, and then promotes the production of beta-amyloid. The accumulation of KCNB1 channels is caused by a chemical process commonly known as oxidation.
"Indeed, scientists have long known that during aging or in neurodegenerative diseases, cells produce free radicals," said Sesti. "Free radicals are toxic molecules that can cause a reaction that results in the loss of electrons in important cellular components, including the channels."
The study showed that in the brains affected by Alzheimer's disease, the accumulation of KCNB1 was much higher than that of normal brains.
"The discovery of the oxidation / accumulation of KCNB1 was discovered by observation of brains from mice and humans, which is important because most scientific studies do not usually go beyond from the observation of animals, "said Sesti. "In addition, KCBB1 channels can not only contribute to Alzheimer's disease, but also to other stress conditions, because a recent study has shown that they have formed as a result of Cerebral trauma. "
In cases of Alzheimer's disease and traumatic brain injury, the accumulation of KCNB1 is associated with serious damage to mental functions. Following this discovery, Sesti successfully tested a drug called Sprycel in the mouse. The drug is used to treat patients with leukemia.
"Our study shows that this drug and similar drugs could potentially be used to treat Alzheimer's disease, a discovery that paves the way for the launch of a clinical trial to test this drug in humans." . "
Source of the story:
Material provided by Rutgers University. Original written by Caitlin Coyle. Note: Content can be changed for style and length.
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