The movement of proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases could serve as a target for future therapies
Sep 16, 2014 | |
The first step to treating or preventing a disease is often finding out what drives it. In the case of neurodegenerative disorders, the discovery two decades ago of what drives them changed the field: all of them—including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease)—involve in brain cells.
Typically when a protein misfolds, the cell destroys it, but as a person ages, this quality-control mechanism starts to fail and the rogue proteins build up. In Huntington's, for example, —used for many cell functions—misfolds and accumulates. Symptoms such as muscular difficulties, irritability, declining memory, poor impulse control and cognitive deterioration accompany the buildup.
Mounting evidence suggests that not only does the accumulation of misfolded proteins mark neurodegenerative disease but that from one cell to another causes the disease to progress. Researchers have seen misfolded proteins travel between cells in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. A series of experiments reported in in August suggests the same is true in Huntington's. ( is part of Nature Publishing Group.)
The next step is crucial. Researchers will try to block the spread of misfolded protxeins and see if that improves symptoms or slows progression. Finding therapies for these diseases is paramount. Approximately alone are diagnosed every year in the U.S., and experts estimate the prevalence will at least double by 2030 because of an aging population.
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