Articles tagged with Amyloids
An international team of experts has made a fundamental discovery by transforming amyloid fibrils into crystals, a process previously thought to be impossible. The transformation involves untwisting the fibril to form an elongated, matchstick-like crystal with unprecedented stability.
Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute identified a new protective function for the brain protein SORLA, which limits amyloid beta's toxic signaling. The study suggests that increasing levels of SORLA in mice reduced cognitive impairments caused by amyloid beta.
A neuroprotective compound has been shown to protect against nerve cell death, depression, and memory problems in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease. The treatment also prevented the development of depression-like behavior and delayed cognitive decline.
Research suggests that amyloid-beta, a toxic protein, can travel to the brain from other parts of the body, contributing to Alzheimer's disease. This discovery offers hope for new drug therapies that target the kidneys or liver to prevent the protein from reaching the brain.
A probe invented at Rice University has identified a specific binding site on the amyloid beta peptide, which is suspected to cause Alzheimer's disease. This discovery could lead to the development of photodynamic therapy for Alzheimer's disease.
A study from the University of Pennsylvania sheds light on how seniors cope with results showing an elevated level of beta amyloid protein plaques, a biomarker of Alzheimer's-disease. Researchers found that many seniors are dissatisfied with the ambiguity of the message and desire more detailed information about their risk.
Rice University researchers have identified a specific binding site on the amyloid beta peptide, which could facilitate the development of better drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease. The probe uses light activation to catalyze oxidation of the protein, preventing it from aggregating in the brains of patients.
Scientists have characterized a new class of drugs that precisely block the production of toxic forms of beta-amyloid, a primary driver of Alzheimer's disease. Treatment with these gamma-secretase modulators reduces levels of amyloid-beta 42 in animal models and cellular systems.
Researchers found that high-risk TREM2 variants can hobble the immune system's ability to protect against amyloid beta, but later in the disease, the absence of TREM2 protein protects the brain from damage. The study suggests targeting the TREM2 protein as a means of preventing or treating Alzheimer's may be complicated and that doctor...
A computer model developed by InSysBio scientists suggests that activating beta-amyloid degradation is key to preventing protein plaques in the brain. The model found that starting treatment at age 60 can lead to relative normalization of indices, highlighting the importance of early intervention.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have developed a peptide probe that can detect non-native TTR oligomers, potentially leading to early diagnosis and treatment of amyloid diseases. The study revealed higher levels of non-native TTR oligomers in patients with TTR amyloid polyneuropathy.
Researchers developed an algorithm using AI and big data to recognize dementia signatures two years before onset from a single amyloid PET scan. The tool could improve patient care and accelerate treatment research into Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that impaired lysosome transport contributes to protein aggregate buildup in brains of mice with Alzheimer's. Developing ways to restore lysosome transport could represent a new therapeutic approach.
Researchers from Kent State University have identified pathologic hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease in the brains of aged chimpanzees, similar to human Alzheimer's disease brain pathology. The study found amyloid beta plaques and blood vessels in all 20 aged chimpanzee brains, with increasing sizes correlating to age.
A new BACE inhibitor has shown promise in improving brain function and memory performance in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. The study found that the treatment reduced amyloid beta production, restored normal nerve cell function, and improved memory abilities.
Researchers have discovered molecular basis of hereditary Alzheimer's disease, revealing a crucial role in the cleavage process of APP protein. Stabilizing Gamma Secretase-APP interaction may prevent release of toxic amyloid beta fragments, delaying or preventing the disease.
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine have discovered how acidic conditions trigger the formation of toxic protein clusters in cells, leading to the death of vital organs. The study may help design new treatments for secondary systemic amyloidosis (AA), a life-threatening disorder that affects millions worldwide.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have found that changing where an enzyme cuts a protein precursor can reduce amyloid beta plaque buildup, a key factor in Alzheimer's disease. By guiding the enzyme to a different point, the researchers may be able to achieve the same goal with less collateral damage.
Researchers have developed a blood test that can detect amyloid beta plaques in the brain, a key characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. The test measures levels of three different amyloid subtypes and has been shown to be highly accurate in identifying individuals with altered levels of amyloid in their brains.
A study found that disrupting one night of sleep in healthy adults causes an increase in amyloid beta, a brain protein associated with Alzheimer's disease. A week of poor sleep also leads to an increase in tau protein, which has been linked to brain damage in Alzheimer's and other neurological diseases.
A human enzyme, cyclophilin 40, unravels protein aggregates contributing to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Experimental expression preserves brain neurons and rescues cognitive deficits in a mouse model.
Researchers discovered that semen amyloids help dispose of excess and defective sperm, facilitating immune cell removal and quality control. This process may favor the survival of fittest sperm and contribute to successful reproduction.
Researchers have developed systems-pharmacological modeling to analyze and predict the dynamics of new drugs for Alzheimer's disease. The models can accurately match cerebrospinal fluid analysis results with brain processes, allowing for optimal drug administration and therapy selection.
Researchers from VIB lab discovered functional amyloids formed by bacteria with dedicated biological functions, differing from toxic pathological amyloids. They developed a novel microscopy method to study real-time growth and regulatory characteristics of these fibers.
A new study found that increased amyloid plaque buildup in the brain predicts faster cognitive decline in middle-age adults over four years. The research used PET scans to detect amyloid deposits in 184 healthy middle-age and older adults, revealing a link between higher amyloid amounts and vocabulary decline.
A study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association found that elevated brain amyloid plaques are an early precursor to Alzheimer's disease, which can lead to faster mental decline. The research suggests that intervening against amyloid levels could slow or even stop the onset of the disease.
A study of cognitively normal individuals found that those with elevated brain amyloid levels were more likely to experience cognitive decline over a median of 3.1 years. The research suggests that preclinical Alzheimer's disease may represent the pre-symptomatic stage of AD.
Researchers analyzed BACE_1, a critical enzyme in Alzheimer's disease, and proposed modifications to increase inhibitor bioavailability. Novel nanoparticle techniques are also being explored to destroy amyloid plaques, offering new hope for AD treatment.
Tramiprosate acts to inhibit the production of neurotoxic beta amyloid oligomers by enveloping the amyloid peptide to prevent its misfolding. This novel mechanism prevents the self-assembly of misfolded proteins into beta amyloid oligomers, leading to neuronal toxicity and clinical progression in Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that low levels of the 'memory protein' NPTX2 are associated with reduced levels of cognition and memory loss in Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that the combination of low NPTX2 and amyloid plaques disrupts neural activity, leading to cognitive failure.
Researchers are testing an anti-amyloid drug on people with elevated amyloid levels but no cognitive decline. The goal is to identify an early stage of the disease and delay onset by five years by 2025, which could save billions in healthcare costs.
Researchers identify Ephexin5 as a key regulator of brain cell connections in Alzheimer's disease, finding that removing the protein prevents deficits in animal models. By targeting Ephexin5, drugs may be developed to prevent or treat symptoms of the disorder.
Researchers discovered that thin parts of neuronal membranes are vulnerable to amyloid-beta protein, which builds up in Alzheimer's disease. The study found that thinner membrane fragments allow plaque to penetrate the cell, leading to cell death and memory loss.
Researchers at Duke University identified a mechanism linking 'jumping genes' to brain cell death in Alzheimer's, potentially leading to new treatments. The study suggests that Alu elements, normally held in check by DNA methylation patterns, can disrupt mitochondrial function and contribute to neurodegeneration.
Researchers at UNIST developed a metal-based substance that hydrolyzes amyloid-β proteins, reducing their toxicity. The cobalt-based complex has the potential to penetrate the brain-vascular barrier and directly interact with the protein in the brain.
A UAlberta study found that AC253 improves memory and learning in mice with Alzheimer's-like symptoms, reducing amyloid levels and inflammation in the brain. Further studies are needed to optimize dosage and effectiveness.
A new technique can precisely measure individual protein molecules in blood and body fluids, providing valuable information on neurodegenerative diseases. The 5-D fingerprint analysis uncovers unique characteristics of misshapen proteins that contribute to disease progression.
A new tissue culture system has revealed that microglia from aged brains are engulfing amyloid plaques on site, with young microglia secreting factors to rejuvenate older cells. The discovery highlights a potential strategy for removing amyloid plaques and improving cognition in Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have identified a key player in causing neuronal damage linked to HIV treatment: the enzyme BACE1. Inhibiting this enzyme may offer a new approach to minimizing damage to neurons in patients on antiretroviral therapies.
Researchers have identified networks of changing proteins specific to Alzheimer's disease, highlighting the importance of inflammation and microglia. By analyzing post-mortem brain proteins, they uncovered patterns pointing to glial cell involvement in the disease's pathogenesis.
Researchers at MIT have developed a noninvasive technique using LED lights to reduce beta amyloid plaques in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. The treatment induces gamma oscillations, which suppress beta amyloid production and invigorate cells responsible for destroying the plaques.
Researchers identified a protein called kinase p38γ that assists protective phosphorylation of tau and interferes with amyloid-beta toxicity. Introducing the protein into mice brains prevented memory deficits associated with Alzheimer's disease.
A new technology platform has been developed to target cancer by inhibiting a well-validated cancer driver through amyloid formation. This approach could lead to the development of novel medicines for a wide array of diseases.
Scientists developed two types of llama antibody that can specifically mark and show amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, the characteristic lesions of Alzheimer's disease. These antibodies have the rare ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, allowing for non-invasive detection.
Researchers suggest shifting from 'curing' Alzheimer's to building resilience, acknowledging the disease is intertwined with aging processes. They propose education, infrastructure support and proper care as key components of societal response.
Researchers developed a new chemical compound Fluselenamyl that detects amyloid clumps better than current FDA-approved compounds. It potentially could be used in brain scans to identify early-stage Alzheimer's disease or monitor response to treatment.
Higher cortical amyloid levels associated with greater loneliness, particularly in APOE4 carriers. Participants with higher amyloid levels were 7.5 times more likely to be classified as lonely than non-lonely individuals.
The Phase 3 analyses of tramiprosate in patients with Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's disease show a gene-dose effect, with the largest clinical benefit seen in patients who are APOE4/4 homozygotes. These results suggest that tramiprosate could be an effective treatment for patients with this genetic risk factor.
A team of scientists identified how amyloid beta, associated with Alzheimer's, can induce cellular changes leading to Parkinson's. This discovery may provide an explanation for the co-occurrence of these neurodegenerative conditions and help researchers find ways to prevent such cases.
Researchers have prevented the development of Alzheimer's disease in mice by using a virus to deliver a specific gene, PGC-1 - alpha, into the brain. The study opens avenues for potential new treatments for the disease and suggests that injections of the gene may be beneficial in the early stages of the disease.
Researchers at ETH Zurich successfully assembled protein-like structures from four simple amino acids, suggesting that these molecules may have been the precursors of life. The findings support the 'amyloid hypothesis,' which proposes that ancient RNA molecules were not capable of self-replication.
Researchers found that exposure to bacterial proteins can cause brain proteins to misfold and lead to inflammation in the brain. The study suggests that gut bacteria may play a role in initiating these diseases, potentially leading to new treatments.
Rice University scientists use computer simulations to model the energy landscape of amyloid beta protein aggregation, a key step in Alzheimer's disease progression. The research predicts that specific sequences on protein molecules interact to form toxic oligomers.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have created a versatile method to pattern functionalized nanowires using structure-controllable amyloid peptides. The technique achieved a 67% tandem yield and showed geometrical patterns that can be controlled by adjusting the peptide mix ratio.
Researchers have found that p53 is more prone to aggregation than its cousins due to exposed backbone hydrogen bonds. This instability can lead to the formation of amyloid fibrils, which are associated with various cancers. The study provides new insights into p53 stability and offers potential strategies for developing cancer therapies.
Aducanumab, a human monoclonal antibody, selectively binds to brain amyloid plaques, allowing microglial cells to remove them. After one-year treatment, almost complete clearance of brain amyloid plaques was observed in patients.
Scientists at the Medical College of Georgia have found that vesicles that trap amyloid contribute to Alzheimer's disease. Reducing exosome production may help reduce amyloid accumulation and slow disease progression. However, female mice did not reap similar benefits, suggesting potential gender-specific differences in the disease.
Scientists have identified the β2 subunit of nicotinic receptors as a direct target of soluble amyloid beta peptide, which builds up in the brain and leads to Alzheimer's disease. Blocking this receptor prevents memory loss and cognitive decline in mouse models.
New research boosts levels of neuregulin-1 to alleviate hallmark features of Alzheimer's disease in a mouse model, promoting metabolism of brain plaques. The study suggests that neuregulin-1 may improve performance on spatial memory tests and lower cellular markers of disease.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center have found that cancer drug pazopanib decreases levels of phosphorylated Tau, a toxic brain protein linked to dementia in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The study suggests that tau pathology may be the main culprit behind dementia in Alzheimer's disease.