Scientists have found a way to block inflammation in Alzheimer's disease
Researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) have discovered experimental compounds that can reduce brain inflammation associated with Alzheimer's disease. The discovery is of particular importance for carriers of the APOE4 gene, the main genetic risk factor for the disease. This was reported on May 26 in the journal Science Daily.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia. The APOE4 gene is considered the strongest known genetic risk factor: its carriers become ill more often, but not all of them develop the disease. The role of neuroinflammation in the mechanisms of neurodegeneration remains one of the priorities of world science.
The enzyme calcium-dependent phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), according to scientists, plays a key role in inflammatory processes inside the brain. A group led by Yassin established a link between increased cPLA2 activity and the risk of Alzheimer's disease in carriers of the APOE4 gene. Since the enzyme is also necessary for the normal functioning of the brain, the researchers were faced with the task of reducing only its harmful activity — without completely blocking it.
"During the study, we identified compounds that selectively act on cPLA2 with minimal effect on related PLA2 enzymes important for normal cellular functions," said senior author Hussein Yassin.
To find suitable compounds, the team used large-scale computer screening: billions of candidate molecules were analyzed. Priority was given to compounds capable of penetrating the blood-brain barrier and selectively affecting cPLA2. According to the results of the selection, one inhibitor showed the best results: in mouse models, the compound successfully overcame the blood-brain barrier and affected the neuroinflammatory pathways associated with Alzheimer's disease.
"Our goal is to find out if exposure to inflammation can alter Alzheimer's risk, especially in APOE4 carriers. The next stage is primarily aimed at assessing the safety and practical significance of this approach for treating people," Yassin added.
On May 13, Science Daily magazine reported on the association of speech features with the risk of dementia. According to the researchers, pauses, parasitic words, and difficulty choosing words are closely related to the executive function of the brain, which is responsible for memory, planning, attention, and flexible thinking.
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