Scientists at the Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease in San Francisco have discovered a new strategy to prevent memory loss caused by amyloid proteins in mice with Alzheimer's Disease. After experimentally altering the EphB2 levels by gene therapy, they determined that an increase of EphB2 levels in the neurons of mice engineered to produce high levels of human amyloid proteins in the brain prevented memory problems, neuroltransmission deficits, and behavioral abnormalities. They also discovered that the amyloid proteins directly bind to EphB2 and cause its degradation, which explains why EphB2 levels are reduced in Alzheimer's Disease.
This research can hopefully lead to new treatments and drugs that might be of benefit in Alzheimer's Disease. By finding ways to block amyloid proteins from binding to EphB2 and enhancing EphB2 levels, scientists may eventually be able to prevent memory problems in humans with Alzheimer's.
[...] Link: Punnett's Square » Gene Therapy Prevents Memory Problems In Mice … [...]
ReplyDeleteI think this is a very cool discovery. Alzheimer's is a horrible disease and too often I hear about people developing early onset Alzheimer's and dying young, sometimes still with little children at home. I hope that this study helps scientists to develop medicine to slow or halt the damages of Alzheimer's and possibly even help prevent it in people who have a higher chance of developing it.
ReplyDelete[...] Punnett's Square » Gene Therapy Prevents Memory Problems In Mice With Alzheimer’s [...]
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