New early detection option for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's

Messenger discovered for the early detection of neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease cause irreversible damage in the brain at an advanced stage. There is currently no reliable way to detect these diseases at an early stage. However, this could change soon, because researchers have discovered a messenger substance that is apparently suitable for the early detection of dementia.

When the effects of dementia are clearly visible, the damage in the brain is already well advanced. Scientists have been desperately searching for methods for years to detect neurodegenerative diseases at an early stage. So-called biomarkers play a major role in early detection. Based on these distinguishing features, physicians can detect such diseases at an early stage. A research team from the University of Basel and the University Hospital Basel has discovered such a biomarker, which should support the early detection of neurodegenerative diseases. The study results were recently published in the journal "Cell Reports".

Researchers recently discovered a new messenger compound that could be a biomarker for the early detection of dementias such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. This would open up new and much-needed treatment options against the rapidly increasing neurodegenerative diseases. (Image: freshidea / fotolia.com)

When cells get stressed

Human cells communicate with each other in a complex and coordinated interaction. When this normal functioning is disturbed, many cells activate a stress response that is important for cell survival. The Basel research group headed by Professor dr. Stephan Frank was able to document in detail how this stress response occurs in nerve cells in the brain. The researchers found that as a result of the stress response often a certain messenger appears before the nerve cells die. Since chronic cell stress and the death of nerve cells have a major influence on the development of dementia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, the newly discovered substance could be suitable as a biomarker for early detection.

The process in detail

Mitochondria are considered the powerhouses of cells. They produce the necessary energy carriers to supply the cell. As the scientists report, disturbances in the mitochondria affect certain neighboring cell areas (organelles). This leads to a stress reaction in the nerve cells. The disturbed mitochondria release the newly discovered substance fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21). The same messenger substance has been increasingly identified in various model systems of neurodegenerative diseases. FGF21 is already appearing before the nerve cells begin to die.

Early detection and new therapies possible

Chronic cell stress is currently considered one of the most important factors in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, where many processes are still poorly understood. The messenger FGF21 could be suitable as a biomarker for the early detection of diseases such as Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease. "Further studies are necessary because the messenger substance can be produced by other tissues and organs, such as adipose tissue and liver," the researchers summarized in a press release to the study results.

A robust biomarker?

If FGF21 proves to be a robust biomarker in further studies, an important prerequisite would be the development of new screening methods and therapeutic approaches that are suitable for combating chronic cell stress. According to the Basel research group, such methods are also urgently needed. According to demographic estimates, increasing life expectancy will lead to a 1.7-fold increase in dementia over the next decade, according to the researchers. (Vb)