Thanks to the use of gene therapy, scientists from the University of Barcelona were able to restore memory function for the first time in mice with symptoms of early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers introduced a gene that activates protein synthesis, the production of which is blocked in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, into the cells of the hippocampus (the structure of the brain responsible, among others, for transferring information from short-term to long-term memory and for spatial orientation). This protein activates other genes directly involved in memory consolidation processes.
“We hope our study is the first step to developing drugs that will stop or even reverse the deterioration of memory performance in people with Alzheimer’s disease,” says Carlos Saura, head of the Spanish team of scientists.
According to WHO data, Alzheimer’s disease affects 35,6 million people. Each year, 7,7 million new cases are diagnosed. The global costs generated by this so far incurable disease amounted to $ 2010 billion in 604.
Na podstawie: Journal of Neuroscience / The Local
Author: Tomasz Kobosz