Researchers at Fudan University in China have succeeded in reversing the buildup of plaque in the brain that leads to Alzheimer’s disease. The results of the work of scientists are published magazine Science Signal.
The authors performed a series of experiments on an animal model. They showed that loss of activity of the TRPM7 ion receptor in the brain may contribute to the accumulation of the harmful and toxic beta-amyloid protein responsible for plaque formation. By accumulating in the brain, they interfere with the normal functioning of neurons and eventually lead to dementia.
The TRPM7 receptor is a special pore in the neuron membrane that allows charged ions to pass from the external cellular environment to the cell. It helps shape critical cellular activities such as excitability, flexibility and metabolism.
Scientists stopped plaque formation in the brain by altering the receptor’s activity in older mice who were starting to develop dementia.
ancient scientists to create Sign of the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.