Thursday, December 14, 2017

Research for halting progression of Alzheimer's

Image result for alzheimer's brain


New research has been done using a molecule against APOE in mice, and this study may reduce brain damage by half.  APOE is a gene that encodes for protein called apolipoprotein E, which can dramatically increase the risk of Alzheimer's.  The E4 variant of APOE is expressed in over half the people with the condition, and those with both copies of the gene have a 12-fold higher risk of developing the disease Alzheimer's.  
Dr. Holtzman and a Ph.D. student revealed that molecule called antisense oligonucleotide interferes with the production of the APOE protein, which can lead to less brain damage.  They injected this molecule into newborn mice predisposed to the disease and a control group of newborn mice that were give a placebo of saltwater.  This research that the APOE proteins had halved in the mice given the antisense molecule.  This information suggests that the molecule has successfully staved off neuro-degeneration related to this disease. 
This article provided a lot of information and the possible reasoning behind Alzheimer's.  By discovering the involvement of the APOE gene in this disease may lead to a possible prevention or cure.  This gene needs more research and one day hopefully will lead to a breakthrough and be able to help those with this disease. 

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320279.php
https://www.nature.com/articles/nature24016

3 comments:

  1. Very interesting research! I hope that this research will provide basis for more new developments in treatment for Alzheimer's. Also, I am curious as to whether these proteins are present in the normal aging process in the brain as well. However, it sounds like this research suggests that this antisense oligonucleotide molecule is a preventive mechanism for the production of these proteins. If that is true, I do not believe it would be a useful treatment option for patients because most individuals with AD normally are not diagnosed in the early-stages of the disease. Most patients are in the end-stages and already have significant atrophy. So if it is solely preventative, then it may be used to prolong a patient's life rather than cure. However, I definitely agree that this is one step in the right direction for helping researchers understand more about AD. Overall, very interesting and I agree!

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  2. Reading this I really hope that this research will so cure the cause for Alzheimers. I always read about how they are working on a cure and treatments are progressively active but that does not mean someone will recover. I agree with Nicole as well I want see whether these proteins are present in the normal aging process in the brain

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  3. I hope the research being done is a success. I have a friend who's Grandpop had Alzheimers disease and it was a very hard thing to watch him go through. I have always been interested in how it works and develops and what can be done to resolve this disease.

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