Close X
Thursday, October 31, 2024
ADVT 
Health

Decoded: How Alzheimer's spreads

Darpan News Desk IANS, 14 Oct, 2014 10:43 AM
    In a major breakthrough, a team of US researchers has confirmed that deposits of a protein called beta amyloid in the brain trigger Alzheimer's disease.
     
    Using 3D lab culture, the team at the Massachusetts General Hospital also found an enzyme that plays a key role in the progression of the disease, Washington Post reported.
     
    A 3D cell culture is an artificially-created environment in which biological cells are permitted to grow or interact with its surroundings in all three dimensions. 
     
    Scientists already know that two protein variants - amyloid beta that forms insoluble plaques and tau that creates neuro-fibrillary tangles - are distinguishing features of Alzheimer's disease.
     
    "The question was, does the amyloid really cause the tangles because the tangles are what kill the nerve cells? And this is the first proof of concept in a human nerve cell system that it does," lead study author Rudolph Tanzi, director of the genetics and ageing research unit at the Massachusetts General Hospital, was quoted as saying.
     
    To reach the conclusion, researchers used a 3D culture with neural stem cells that carried the variants in two genes, the amyloid beta precursor and presenilin 1, which is found in early onset Alzheimer's.
     
    The 3D models in the lab created both plaques and tangles.
     
    The discovery may revolutionise drug discovery for other neuro-degenerative disorders, researchers noted in a paper that appeared in the journal Nature.

    MORE Health ARTICLES

    Honey Can Destroy Harmful Fungus, Save Lives

    Honey Can Destroy Harmful Fungus, Save Lives
    Researchers from Britain have identified the effect of honey used since ancient times for the treatment of several diseases, on pathogenic fungi that can cause devastating infections in vulnerable people.

    Honey Can Destroy Harmful Fungus, Save Lives

    Acidic sports drinks ruining teeth of athletes

    The preference for a high carbohydrate diet and acidic sports drinks during training and performance may explain the prevalence of poor dental health among athletes, says a study....

    Acidic sports drinks ruining teeth of athletes

    With Early Signs Flu Season Looms, It's Time To Roll Up Your Sleeve

    With Early Signs Flu Season Looms, It's Time To Roll Up Your Sleeve
    TORONTO - Summer is starting to seem like a distant memory. And the remains of your Thanksgiving turkey may not yet be boiling for soup stock.

    With Early Signs Flu Season Looms, It's Time To Roll Up Your Sleeve

    Ebola: When It's Contagious, How It Spreads And Other Things You Need To Know To Stay Safe

    Ebola: When It's Contagious, How It Spreads And Other Things You Need To Know To Stay Safe
    Only when someone is showing symptoms, which can start with vague symptoms including a fever, flu-like body aches and abdominal pain, and then vomiting and diarrhea.

    Ebola: When It's Contagious, How It Spreads And Other Things You Need To Know To Stay Safe

    Brain may produce nerve cells even after stroke

    Brain may produce nerve cells even after stroke
    Scientists have discovered a previously unknown mechanism through which the brain produces new nerve cells even after a stroke....

    Brain may produce nerve cells even after stroke

    How the Ebola virus got its name

    How the Ebola virus got its name
    The deadly Ebola virus that has killed over 3,300 people in West Africa since its current outbreak was confirmed in March, was christened in 1976 after a river....

    How the Ebola virus got its name

    PrevNext