Scientists Begin To Untangle Root Cause Of Alzheimer's Disease
September 8, 2009
Adapted from the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Scientists have found that the N60 section of a protein called "RanBP9" might be the key that unlocks an entirely new class of Alzheimer's drugs, and with them, hope. In a research report published online in The FASEB Journal, these scientists describe how the N60 fragment of the RanBP9 protein increases the production of the amyloid beta protein, which is present in excessive amounts in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease.
Most experts believe that if the creation of amyloid beta protein can be halted or slowed, the devastating effects of Alzheimer's disease may also be stopped or slowed too. Knowing which portion of the RanBP9 protein to target is particularly important because it gives researchers a more specific focus for developing new Alzheimer's drugs.
According to David Kang, assistant professor of neurosciences at the University of California, San Diego, and one of the researchers involved in the work, "Our study suggests that targeting RanBP9 expression and/or N60 fragment generation may lead to novel strategies to combat this devastating disease." "Alzheimer's might seem hopeless to some, but this research shows that we're closer than ever to unraveling both the protein tangles and mysteries surrounding this devastating disease," said Gerald Weissmann, M.D., Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia among older adults, affecting as many as 5 million Americans. Alzheimer's disease involves parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language and can seriously affect a person's ability to carry out daily activities. The disease usually begins after age 60, and risk goes up with age. About 5 percent of men and women ages 65 to 74 have Alzheimer's disease, and nearly half of those aged 85 and older may have the disease.
On behalf of its donors, the Alzheimer's Disease Research (ADR) program of the American Health Assistance Foundation (AHAF), is proud to have funded Dr. Kang for this very important work that has identified an exciting new class of molecules with the potential to turn into the next generation of Alzheimer’s disease treatments.
In addition, AHAF and its donors are proud to have Dr. Koo as a contributor to this research and as the Chairman of its ADR Scientific Review Committee.
View all news updates for Alzheimer's disease
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