The weight of neurodegenerative diseases associated with age, such as Alzheimer’s, grows in increasingly aging societies. Understanding the mechanisms that lead to their appearance is a key step if we want to combat and cure the disease beyond treating its symptoms.
1n4r value. A recent study has indicated to the 1N4R isoform of the Tau protein as the protein responsible for the clots behind the cerebral deterioration associated with Alzheimer’s disease. A development that, according to those responsible, can help in the development of new treatments focused on this protein.
“This study represents a significant advance in helping us understand the mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease. By identifying 1n4r Tau as a key protein we have discovered a new potential white for future treatments, ”Sarah Buchholz, co -author of the study, said in a press release.
Tau proteins. It is still a lot to learn from Alzhemier, but for a few years we know that Tau protein has a close link with this disease. The accumulation of these proteins inside the neurons generates clots that end up affecting the proper functioning of these cells.
This ends up deriving in his death and the loss of brain mass. This for its part leads to the most visible symptoms of the disease such as memory loss.
iPSC. In his study, the team used induced pluripotential cells or IPSC (induced pluripotent stem cells). These are generated stem cells in laboratory from conventional human cells. The equipment used these cells to transform them in turn into neurons in which to investigate the effects of different isoforms of the Tau protein in these brain cells.
Through the CRISPR/CAS9 genetic editing mechanism and techniques that allow visualizing the internal processes of the cells, the team managed to identify the protein form responsible for causing neuronal deterioration behind the Alzheimer’s.
The team published the details of their work through an article in the magazine Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
A multidisciplinary approach. According to the study responsible for the study, the interdisciplinary methodology followed can help better understand the dynamics of this disease, highlighting the importance of the use of human cellular models in the study of neurodegenerative diseases.
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