Alzheimer’s disease, a devastating neurodegenerative disorder that affects millions worldwide, may have met a new adversary: an ion channel known as TRPM7.
Researchers from State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Fudan University in Shanghai, have recently discovered that TRPM7 plays a critical role in the accumulation of toxic amyloid-β proteins, one of the hallmark features of Alzheimer’s disease.
The Science Behind the Discovery
Amyloid-β proteins form sticky plaques in the brain and are believed to be a primary culprit in Alzheimer’s.
These proteins inhibit normal neuron function and contribute to cognitive decline.
The researchers have found that the TRPM7 ion channel, which helps regulate crucial cellular activities like excitability and metabolism, may be responsible for the buildup of amyloid-β when it malfunctions.
TRPM7 is no ordinary protein; it serves a dual function as both an ion channel and a kinase—an enzyme that facilitates the transfer of phosphate groups to fuel cellular activities.
The team found that the levels of TRPM7 were substantially lower in brain samples from Alzheimer’s patients and in mouse models designed to mimic the disease.
Promising Animal Experiments
In their experiments, the researchers manipulated the levels of TRPM7 in mice genetically predisposed to accumulate amyloid-β in their brains.
By increasing the levels of TRPM7, they were able to restore synaptic formation and cognitive function in older mice.
Further studies revealed that the kinase part of the TRPM7 protein activated an enzyme called MMP14, which helps degrade and clear out amyloid-β.
Implications for Alzheimer’s Treatment
While this research offers a potential avenue for Alzheimer’s treatment, it’s important to note that the role of amyloid-β in Alzheimer’s is still not fully understood.
Tau proteins, which form neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, have also been implicated in the disease. The combination of plaques and tangles might tell a more complex story about the genesis of Alzheimer’s.
The Road Ahead
Alzheimer’s remains an enormous burden on global healthcare systems, costing $355 billion annually in the U.S. alone, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Given the aging population, the World Health Organization predicts that without a cure, the disorder will overwhelm healthcare systems worldwide by 2050.
The research led by Shimeng Zhang offers hope in unraveling the complexities of Alzheimer’s disease.
Their studies have shown that manipulating TRPM7 levels can potentially restore cognitive function and reduce the build-up of toxic amyloid-β.
But further research is necessary to understand the interplay between different factors contributing to Alzheimer’s and to validate these findings for potential therapeutic applications.
If you care about Alzheimer’s disease, please read studies that bad lifestyle habits can cause Alzheimer’s disease, and this new drug may help treat Alzheimer’s disease.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about a new early sign of Alzheimer’s disease, and results showing this brain problem can increase the risk of stroke for up to five years.
The study was published in Science Signaling.
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