Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include memory loss, confusion, and speech problems. They are associated with the formation of aggregates (plaques) of beta-amyloid protein in the nerve cells of the brain. In a new study, scientists found that beta-amyloid is produced not only by neurons but also by support cells in the brain. The results were published in the journal Nature Neuroscience.
Oligodendrocytes, the cells that produce the coating on nerve fibers, are necessary for the brain to function. Previous studies have shown that defects in this coating can worsen the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. In the new study, the scientists decided to test whether this was related to the functioning of oligodendrocytes.
Nervous system cells produce amyloid beta protein by breaking down its precursor using the enzyme BACE1. The scientists tried to turn off BACE1 in neurons and oligodendrocytes of mice. They then assessed the formation of toxic plaques using 3D light microscopy.
“Oligodendrocytes lacking BACE1 produced about 30% less plaque. Turning off the BACE1 gene in neurons reduced plaque formation by more than 95%, the scientists said.
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. However, there are currently drugs that can reduce the formation of amyloid plaques. However, they only target nerve cells. Oligodendrocytes may now become targets for the drugs.
Earlier scientists I learnedThis stress destroys the brain’s ability to resist dementia.
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Source: Gazeta
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