Alzheimer's Research - New brain cell loss mechanism uncovered

In this study, we show for the first time that necroptosis is activated in Alzheimer ’s disease, providing a plausible mechanism underlying neuronal loss in this disorder, ” said Liang, who contributed to the study’s gene expression analyses.To explore necroptosis, the research team utilized multiple cohorts of human samples obtained fromthe Brain and Body Donation Program at the Banner Sun Health Research Institute and Mount Sinai VA Medical Center Brain Bank.First, they measured RIPK1, RIPK3 and MLKL in a specific region of the brain that is typically ravaged by cell loss during the advance of Alzheimer ’s disease — the temporal gyrus.Results showed that during necroptosis, these markers were increased in the brains of people with Alzheimer ’s disease.Next, they identified the molecular cascade of necroptosis activation, with RIPK1 activating RIPK3 by binding with it.This protein complex then binds to and activates MLKL. Analysis of mRNA and protein revealed elevated levels of both RIPK1 and MLKLin the postmortem brain tissues of patients with Alzheimer ’s when compared with normal postmortem brains.They also demonstrated that necroptosis activation correlated with the protein tau. Intriguingly, necroptosis did not appear to be linked with the other chief physiological characteristic of Alzheimer ’s pathology, beta-amyloid plaque.5 Best Memory Tests for Alzheimer's and DementiaEngines of declineTo assess the relationship between necroptotic protein leve...
Source: Alzheimer's Reading Room, The - Category: Neurology Tags: alzheimer's alzheimer's research alzheinmer's dementia brain cell loss causes of alzheimer's health memory loss science tau Source Type: blogs