Alzheimer’s disease is one of the world’s biggest health problems. Yet, despite the fact that millions of people Although people around the world are diagnosed with the disease every year, treatment remains a challenge. This is primarily because the underlying causes are not yet fully understood.
however, New research using mice We are one step closer to understanding what triggers the disease. Researchers have discovered a particular enzyme that may be behind one of the key features of Alzheimer’s disease.
One of the key features of Alzheimer’s disease is the buildup of a harmful protein called tau. In a healthy brain, tau has the following main functions: Supports and stabilizes brain cells (neuron). This maintains the structure of these cells and helps transport important substances throughout the neuron, allowing it to function optimally.
However, in Alzheimer’s patients, tau act abnormally In your brain. Instead of performing its normal function, tau accumulates within neurons, forming twisted clumps called tau. Neurofibrillary tangles.
These tangles can disrupt communication between neurons. Communication between neurons is the basis of our memory, thinking, and behavior, so any disruption can lead to damage to these areas of the brain.
Scientists have known for decades that tau exists, but involved in the diseaseThey are still trying to understand exactly why healthy tau misfolds and forms such toxic, sticky tangles. This latest research natural neuroscienceprovide promising new insights into how tau is toxic in mice.
toxic tau
To mimic Alzheimer’s disease, a team of US-based scientists used mice that were genetically modified to accumulate tau in their brains. They found that a specific enzyme may be responsible for turning healthy tau into toxic tau that accumulates in the brain.
enzyme are proteins that normally play a beneficial role in the body, allowing reactions to occur more quickly and efficiently. However, this study revealed that the enzyme tyrosine kinase 2 (TYK2), which plays a central role in the immune system, adds a special tag to tau.
This tag appears to make it difficult for the brain to properly remove unwanted tau. In both mouse models and cultured human cells, this enzyme caused tau accumulation and was toxic.
The scientists then used genetic tools to block TYK2 in Alzheimer’s disease mice. This reduced the total amount of tau in the brain, including the amount of tagged harmful and disease-causing tau.
Neurons also showed signs of recovery. This suggests that blocking TYK2 could be a way to reduce the accumulation of toxic tau and the damage it causes in diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. This could also open new avenues for drug development that can tackle toxic tau in ways that have not yet been explored.
The finding that lowering or blocking TYK2 can treat Alzheimer’s disease is encouraging, as TYK2 inhibitors are already being tested in humans. A range of different conditions – etc. autoimmune disease Psoriatic arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
However, studies are needed to see if TYK2 inhibitors can pass the criteria. blood brain barrier. Because tau is located within brain cells, it is difficult to remove. If these drugs can’t reach the brain, they won’t be able to lower tau levels in humans and make a difference in Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s disease treatment
New treatments for Alzheimer’s disease are desperately needed. After receiving two treatments, Donamab and lecanemabrecently approved in the UK, but is too expensive and comes with serious side effects for widespread use in the NHS. Many people claim its shortcomings outweigh their interests.
These treatments focus on removal. amyloid plaquesanother protein associated with Alzheimer’s disease. But targeting tau, the protein at the center of this new research, could be a game-changer in the search for more effective treatments.
However, it should be noted that this research is in its early stages and is still very much preclinical. Although mouse models are extremely valuable in understanding disease mechanisms, their results do not always directly translate to humans.
It remains to be seen whether this technology has the same effect on tau levels in the human brain, whether there are any harmful side effects, and whether blocking TYK2 to remove toxic tau actually reduces Alzheimer’s symptoms such as memory loss. Further research is needed to see if it improves.
Targeting TYK2 to reduce toxic tau in the brain shows promise as a potential new approach to treating Alzheimer’s disease. The next step is to find out if the same is true for humans.
rahul sidhuPhD Candidate, Neuroscience; University of Sheffield
This article is republished from conversation Under Creative Commons License. please read original article.
