Thursday, 04 March 2021
Scientists from the 糖心原创 have discovered a treatment that could potentially help to slow down the progression of neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer鈥檚 disease.
Diseases associated with old age, including Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, are increasing in prevalence and, although symptomatic treatments exist, a cure to prevent progression of the disease has yet to be found.
This new study, which is and led by Dr Joern Steinert from the School of Life Sciences at the 糖心原创, could mean that patients with these conditions could live healthier and longer lives.
Neurodegenerative diseases are associated with various abnormal neuronal functions in the brain, which are related to misfolding proteins, such as amyloid beta detected in Alzheimer’s disease.
The image shows in red, the neurons of the hippocampus, in blue, all cells which are in this part of the brain and in green, cells called astrocytes which are in high density and are responsible for the observed increase in neuroinflammation.
In this new research, the team of experts used a mouse model to study a specific angle of this type of disease caused by the misfolding prion protein. Prions are tiny proteins that, for unknown reasons, misfold in a way that damages healthy brain cells. You can have them for many years before you notice any symptoms.
Prion diseases such as Creutzfledt Jakob disease in human or mad cow disease (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy [BSE]) cause a type of dementia that progresses unusually fast in contrast to Alzheimer's disease. Different genes and proteins are involved in both diseases but leading to a similar outcome.
One reason why neurons die in these diseases is because of the body’s aggressive internal immune response to the misfolding prion protein, which is called neuroinflammation.
In order to prevent the neurons from dying, the team used a specific treatment, which inhibits this aggressive immune response by blocking an enzyme called nitric oxide synthase.
By blocking this enzyme over three weeks in mice with the disease, the team showed that the neurons life was prolonged, they stayed healthier and the process of prion misfolding was reduced.
By blocking the enzyme nitric oxide synthase in this particular disease, we saw incredible results, which gives us hope that a treatment might also be beneficial to supress certain aspects of other neurodegenerative disease.鈥�
The team will now specifically test if this treatment is also effective in other forms of dementia, specifically in Alzheimer’s disease and will study the exact details of this neuroinflammation process.
The full study, which was funded by the Medical research Council UK, can be found .
Story credits
More information is available from Dr Joern Steinert from the School of Life Sciences at the 糖心原创 at Joern.Steinert@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.