Scientists at Aarhus University in Denmark have made an important discovery that could help us understand and treat Alzheimer’s disease.
Their research focuses on exosomes—tiny particles released by cells that play a role in how cells talk to each other.
Even though these particles are extremely small—millions of them could fit on the tip of a grain of rice—they might have a big impact on brain health.
The team of researchers, including Assistant Professor Kristian Juul-Madsen, found that a specific mutation linked to Alzheimer’s affects how well cells produce these exosomes. The mutation occurs in a gene called Sorl1.
This gene produces a protein known as SORLA. If SORLA is defective because of a mutation, brain cells release fewer and lower-quality exosomes.
In their lab experiments, researchers observed that brain cells with a faulty SORLA protein produced about 30% fewer exosomes. Not only that, but the exosomes they did produce were 50% less effective at helping nearby brain cells grow and develop. This suggests that the SORLA protein plays a big role in maintaining a healthy brain.
Why does this matter? Because these exosomes, especially those produced by immune cells in the brain, seem to be essential for brain health. If a mutation damages the exosome production process, it could increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia that comes with aging, and there is no cure yet. In Denmark alone, about 55,000 people live with this condition. That’s why finding out how to protect or improve brain cell function is so important.
The researchers believe that their findings could lead to new treatments. For example, future therapies might try to make the SORLA protein work better or find other ways to boost exosome production. If successful, this could help slow down or even prevent the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
This study brings new hope that tiny changes inside cells could lead to big changes in how we fight dementia. The next steps will be to test ways to increase the number and quality of exosomes, possibly offering a new path for Alzheimer’s treatment.
The study is published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia.
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