- Статьи
- Science and technology
- Everything glial is simple: a new drug for dementia will bring back sound thinking
Everything glial is simple: a new drug for dementia will bring back sound thinking
Russian scientists are developing a new drug for Alzheimer's disease that restores cognitive processes in patients with this diagnosis. Tests of the drug on rodents in which pathology was artificially induced have shown that the substance increases their ability to learn by improving memory and forming neural connections. At the same time, the development does not have negative side effects on living cells, like its analogues. According to experts, all existing treatment methods affect only individual symptoms of the disease, so doctors need new, more effective medical approaches.
A dementia drug based on new principles
Scientists at the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia are successfully conducting preclinical studies of a new drug for dementia that is able to restore cognitive functions in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Experiments on mice in which pathology was artificially induced have shown that after taking the drug, the animals' learning ability increases. Then the experts studied the brains of rodents and found that the use of the substance led to a several-fold decrease in the number of amyloid plaques, which are associated with the development of neurodegeneration.
— There are no analogues of our drug in the world in terms of its effects on the brain. A protein complex called "Cerebrolysin" is partly similar to it. It is obtained from the brain of pigs, so it can cause a very strong immune reaction in humans. Drugs that inhibit various receptors and antibodies to beta—amyloid have also been developed, but all of them have failed clinical trials," Diana Salekhova, head of the Laboratory of Cellular Biotechnology at the Rudn University, told Izvestia.
Existing medicines only relieve certain symptoms of the disease, and not all of them, she stressed.
In search of a way to restore brain function, scientists have turned their attention to glial cells, which are designed in the human body to protect neurons. Experts have been studying the mechanism of their action for a long time and came to the conclusion that the products they release can become a new medicine.
The developers extracted extracellular vesicles from glial tissue — vesicles surrounded by a membrane. They contain RNA, DNA and proteins inside. These elements perform the function of an intercellular "mail" that transmits "parcels" from one cell to another. Vesicles and certain proteins of glial cells have a therapeutic effect on neurons.
— First we take stem cells. We differentiate them and obtain a precursor of glial tissue, and then we extract proteins and extracellular vesicles from the glial cell, which have a therapeutic effect. However, they contain a whole range of different substances, and further research will show which of them is active," said Diana Salikhova.
The mice treated with the drug had better memory function and formed neural connections. Scientists suggest that the drug affects one of the systems in the hippocampus (part of the limbic system of the brain). Laboratory tests have shown that the substance has no negative effect on animal cells. In addition to Alzheimer's disease, the drug has proven effective in damage to the motor cortex of the brain, which occurs in traumatic brain injuries and concussions. Its use improved impaired motor skills and limb sensitivity in rats.
The developers are at the initial stage of preclinical research, and it will take many more years to create a drug that can be used in clinical practice.
There is still no cure for Alzheimer's disease
There are still no real anti-Alzheimer's drugs, Vladimir Polshakov, a leading researcher at the Faculty of Fundamental Medicine at Moscow State University, explained to Izvestia. There are only compensatory medications that reduce symptoms, including those developed in Russia. But they only affect the damaged brain activity, they do not treat the pathogenic processes themselves.
— There are a number of drugs in development that control the formation of neurotoxic beta-amyloid molecules, but so far these are not ready—made active drugs, - said Vladimir Polshakov.
Modern drugs against dementia affect only the pathogenetic links, that is, the consequences of the accumulation of insoluble amyloid, and not the cause of the disease itself. Therefore, today it is very important to create drugs that would affect the etiology of the disease, said a psychiatrist, an expert of the social project "Dementia.net" Maria Shtan.
— The drug proposed by RUDN University specialists can be very effective at the pre—stage stages of the disease, as well as as preventive measures, preserving a person's independent living for a longer time, and possibly his professional activity," said Maria Shtan.
The drug can also be effective in the treatment of vascular catastrophes, which can become a trigger factor in the progression of degenerative processes, the specialist added.
In recent years, new drugs have emerged that target beta-amyloid plaques, which are considered one of the causes of Alzheimer's disease. The remedy proposed by RUDN University specialists belongs to this group of drugs. The most valuable feature of this type of medicine is the ability to slow the progression of the disease in the early stages. New drug-based treatment approaches can focus on the onset of the disease, which can lead to more effective symptom control and slow progression, Olga Valaeva, head of the Virtual Clinic Research and Practice Center at the Moscow Institute of Psychoanalysis, told Izvestia.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
