Alzheimer's gene therapy shows new therapeutic approach

Spanish scientists use mice against Alzheimer's disease

04/24/2014

Is Alzheimer's reversible through gene therapy? Spanish scientists from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) have done a genetic intervention in experiments with mice, which led to a reversal of memory loss. The results of the current study were published by the research team led by study leader Carlos Saura in the journal „The Journal of Neuroscience“. In the opinion of the scientists, there are reasonable hopes that the procedure can also be applied to humans.

The cognitive impairment of Alzheimer's disease is, according to the researchers „associated with changes in gene expression in the brain“, the underlying mechanisms have remained unclear. In the current study, they examined with the help of a „genome-wide transcriptome analysis“ Therefore, the abnormalities in the brain of Alzheimer's mice and found that there is a close relationship between the transcriptome (sum of all rewritten by the DNA into RNA genes or totality of all produced in a cell RNA molecules) and the disease process. An important role was played by the CRTC1 gene, which in turn has a significant influence on the production of the protein of the same name. An overexpression of the CRTC1 protein in the hippocampus in turn led to a decrease in memory deficits, the researchers report.

Resuscitation of memory possible?
„Our results reveal a critical role for CRTC1-dependent transcription in spatial memory formation and provide the first evidence that memory targeting Alzheimer's can be reversed by therapies targeting the transcriptome“, write the Spanish researchers in the journal „The Journal of Neuroscience“. Study leader Saura spoke of a veritable „Resuscitation of memory.“ If the current results can also be transferred to humans, this could open up completely new therapeutic options for the treatment of Alzheimer's in the future. Even in the late stages of the disease could possibly improve the memory of those affected again.

Intensive search for options for Alzheimer's therapy
So far, only a therapeutic delay in the course of the disease is possible in Alzheimer's. Stopping the progression of the disease, or even achieving a cure, is ruled out based on the available treatment options. In addition, the number of Alzheimer's patients has increased dramatically in recent years and is expected to increase even faster in the coming years. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 35.6 million people worldwide already suffer from Alzheimer's. By 2030, a doubling and by 2050 tripling of the diseases is to be assumed, reports the WHO. Accordingly intensive research on possible therapeutic approaches to Alzheimer's has been pursued for some years, but so far without real success. (Fp)