Potential Root Cause for Alzheimer's, Traumatic Brain Injury Discovered

As you get older, you are more prone to memory-robbing diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Scientists have discovered a new mechanism that may be the root cause of Alzheimer's disease and traumatic brain injury.

New study highlights a possible cause for Alzheimer's disease and traumatic brain injury.

A team of researchers have identified a new mechanism that may contribute to Alzheimer's disease and traumatic brain injury, hoping that the discovery may lead to effective treatment.

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‘A novel mechanism which involves a non-amyloid-beta protein, a potassium channel referred to as KCNB1 that may lead to Alzheimer's disease and traumatic brain injury.’

According to researchers from Rutgers University, the causes of Alzheimer's is unknown. But a popular theory suggests a protein known as amyloid-beta slowly builds up a plaque in the brains of people with the disease.

The research team looked at a new mechanism, which involves a non-amyloid-beta protein, a potassium channel referred to as KCNB1.

Under conditions of stress in a brain affected by Alzheimer's, KCNB1 builds up and becomes toxic to neurons and then promotes the production of amyloid-beta. The build-up of KCNB1 channels is caused by a chemical process commonly known as oxidation.

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"Indeed, scientists have known for a long time that during aging or in neurodegenerative disease cells produce free radicals," said co-author Federico Sesti, a professor at the varsity.

"Free radicals are toxic molecules that can cause a reaction that results in lost electrons in important cellular components, including the channels," Sesti added.

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The study, published in the journal Cell Death and Disease, found that in brains affected by Alzheimer's, the build-up of KCNB1 was much higher compared to normal brains.

"The discovery of KCNB1's oxidation/build-up was found through observation of both mouse and human brains, which is significant as most scientific studies do not usually go beyond observing animals," said Sesti.

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"Further, KCBB1 channels may not only contribute to Alzheimer's but also to other conditions of stress as it was found in a recent study that they are formed following brain trauma," Sesti added.

In the cases of Alzheimer's and traumatic brain injury, the build-up of KCNB1 is associated with severe damage of mental function. As a result of this discovery, the researcher successfully tested a drug called Sprycel in mice. The drug is used to treat patients with leukemia.

The research team now hopes to launch a clinical trial to test the treatment in humans.

Source-IANS