A team of scientists from Japan appear to have pioneered a method for reversing synapse damage in an Alzheimer’s disease mouse model. Although encouraging, the theory must be tested in a myriad of studies before the process of developing the approach into a viable therapy for the disease can begin.
About Synapses
Synapses are portions of neurons that send chemical signals to various neurons. Scientists have developed a peptide categorized as a synthetic group of amino acids. It is injected through mouse models’ nostrils. The potential here is that if successful, the reward will be a new therapy for millions of individuals worldwide. Details of the study have been published in the Brain Research journal.
Back to the Tau Protein
Okinawa’s Technology and Science Institute’s principal investigator Tomoyuki Takahashi explained that the intent of the team is to reach people living with Alzheimer’s disease as quickly as possible to maintain their cognitive skills.
The disruption of neuron chemical communication became the focus for the scientists. The accumulation of tau results in disruptions of the usual processes in synapses by exhausting the dynamin enzyme. This enzyme is a major component in the normal, healthy synaptic process.
The Key is Early Treatment
Reversing the process by injecting dynamin has led to restoring the cognitive function of the mice. The caveat here is “as long as they are treated early.”
