Experts at the Indiana University School of Medicine have found that reduced activity of the INPP5D gene helps brain microglia fight amyloid plaques, alleviating the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. The research was published in the journal Alzheimer’s.
The team’s previous observations showed that INPP5D gene activity was associated with amyloid plaque deposits in the brain. The researchers suggested that reducing its activity would help slow the disease. In laboratory animals, they did not completely “turn off” the gene, but cut its expression in half, mimicking the action of possible inhibitory drugs.
Under these conditions, microglia appeared to more successfully destroy amyloid plaques and were generally more active. In addition, it was possible to preserve the cognitive functions of the animals with the decrease in INPP5D expression.
“Our results suggest that a decrease in INPP5D function may lead to a response that reduces the risk of developing the disease and counteracts the effects of beta-amyloid deposits in the brain,” the authors wrote.
Source: Gazeta
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