Hope for dementia and Parkinson's as scientists find diseases' driver
'Toxic' acid system to remove damaged cells in the brain could be going wrong
Scientists say this is the likely suspect of a number of brain diseases and aging
Blocking the fat from working helped to save 75% of brain cells in study on mice
While promising, experts warn that treatment is not ready to be used on humans
Scientists believe they've found the culprit behind nearly all neurological diseases, in a breakthrough that could offer hope to millions.
Dementia, Parkinson's and many other brain disorders are caused by key cells called neurons dying over time. Researchers have now found other brain cells – known as astrocytes – play a 'critical role' in their death. The star-shaped cells usually help clear away toxic particles that build up in the brain naturally or after head trauma, and are supposed to nourish neurons.
But laboratory tests on mice show astrocytes also release toxic fatty acids to kill off damaged neurons, confirming a suspicion many neurologists have had for years. Lead researcher Professor Shane Liddelow, of New York University, said: 'Our findings show the toxic fatty acids produced by astrocytes play a critical role in brain cell death.' He added that the results 'provide a promising new target for treating, and perhaps even preventing, many neurodegenerative diseases'.
Dementia is the leading cause of death in UK and the developed world, with modern habits and increasing life expectancy to blame. It kills just over 66,000 Britons every year — the equivalent of one every 10 minutes. Neurologists are racing to develop treatments but still don't fully understand some key aspects of the disease, such as what triggers the disease in some cases.
Astrocytes — which take the shape of a star — were known to keep neurons in the brain nourished and healthy and regulate bloodflow.
But the NYU scientists say they are also responsible for killing decaying neurons. After coming up with the theory that two fatty acids were to blame, the NYU researchers tested it in mice with brain injuries.
They genetically engineered half of the rodents to shut down the production of long-chain saturated free fatty acids and phosphatidylcholines, and compared them to a control group.
In engineered mice 75 per cent of neurons survived, while in normal mice only 10 per cent of the neurons survived. The findings back up widely-held beliefs that astrocytes produced a neuron-killing molecule to 'clear up' the damaged cells.
But the exact nature of the removal process was not understood. It is not clear why astrocytes produce the toxins, but Professor Liddelow and colleagues said it was possible they evolved to destroy damaged neurons before they could harm their neighbours.
Writing in the journal Nature, he theorised that this normally-helpful process could be going rogue in diseases like dementia. He said their discovery could prove groundbreaking in future research to treat brain diseases. But Professor Liddelow cautioned that the technique used in mice is not ready to use on humans. However, he added that researchers' next plan is to develop ways to use this treatment in people.
Professor Liddelow declared a financial interest in this study as he has a stake in AstronauTx a company targeting astrocytes as potential treatment for Alzheimer's.
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