Alzheimer’s breakthrough: scientists home in on molecule which halts development of disease

via www.medicalnewstoday.com

Cambridge scientists raise prospect of new generation of treatments after finding technique to limit development of biggest cause of dementia

Scientists have found a method which could potentially stop the growth of Alzheimer’s disease in its tracks, raising the prospect of a wave of new treatments for the condition.

A team at Cambridge University, working with partners in Sweden and Estonia, has identified a molecule which can block the progress of Alzheimer’s at a crucial stage in its development.

Not only is it the first time that experts have identified a means of breaking the cycle leading to the development of Alzheimer’s but they believe the technique could be used to identify other molecules as future treatments to curb the growth of the condition.

Charities hailed it as an “exciting” discovery.

More than 520,000 people in the UK are estimated to be living with Alzheimer’s, by far the most common cause of dementia.

Dementia-related conditions are already the biggest cause of death among women in Britain and only narrowly outranked by heart disease and cancer for men.

Alzheimer’s develops when proteins in the brain malfunction and then stick together into fibres. They in turn eventually form clusters called oligomers which are toxic to nerve cells.

The second stage of that process is believed to set off a chain reaction which multiplies the number of clusters, hastening the development of the most devastating effects.

Experts at the Centre for Misfolding Diseases in Cambridge’s Chemistry Department have identified that natural proteins called Brichos, can stick to the fibres preventing them merging with others and forming the damaging clusters, therefore limiting the effects.

They believe the method used could help them identify other so-called “chaperone molecules” which could attach themselves in a similar way raising the prospect of a new generation of treatments.

The Latest on: Chaperone molecules

[google_news title=”” keyword=”Chaperone molecules” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]

via Google News

The Latest on: Chaperone molecules

Small molecules found in breast milk may reduce the likelihood of infants developing allergies
on November 15, 2022 at 3:36 pm
Now, a new study by Penn State College of Medicine finds that small molecules found in most humans' breast milk may reduce the likelihood of infants developing allergic conditions like atopic ...
Tiny molecules in breast milk may protect infants from developing allergies
on November 15, 2022 at 11:54 am
Now, a new study by Penn State College of Medicine finds that small molecules found in most humans' breast milk may reduce the likelihood of infants developing allergic conditions like atopic ...
How to study ‘big’ molecules without breaking them apart
on November 10, 2022 at 9:48 am
Luca Fornelli, an assistant professor of biology at the University of Oklahoma, has received a five-year Maximizing Investigators' Research Award (MIRA) from the National Institutes of Health to ...
Sugar molecules as a target in cancer therapy
on November 7, 2022 at 11:10 am
Cancer cells use sugar molecules on their surface to disable attacks by the body's immune system. Researchers now report on how this mechanism can be neutralized. Cancer cells use sugar molecules ...
Chaperone reports thousands of dollars in contributions (so far)
on November 5, 2022 at 5:48 am
Chaperone has kept watch over the Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education races, the PAC closely associated with by-petition candidate Hank McFarland, along with write-ins Amanda Wilson and ...
Magnetic molecules on surfaces: Advances and challenges in molecular nanoscience
on November 2, 2022 at 4:37 pm
requires those magnetic molecules that are placed on the surface to preserve their structure, functionality and properties. Now, an article analyses the most updated knowledge on the processes of ...
Method for Porous Carbon Preparation Using Small Organic Molecules
on November 2, 2022 at 2:39 am
Although a shift from polymer- to small molecule-based precursors is highly desirable for the rapid and controlled preparation of porous carbons, the small molecule’s high volatility and lack of ...
Magnetic molecules on surfaces: Advances and challenges in molecular nanoscience
on November 1, 2022 at 5:00 pm
requires those magnetic molecules that are placed on the surface to preserve their structure, functionality and properties. Now, a paper published in the journal Coordination Chemistry Reviews ...
Modifying signaling molecules to prevent bacteria from 'talking' to each other
on October 26, 2022 at 5:00 pm
Modified signaling molecules prevent the formation of biofilms For bacterial life in communities, it is important that the individual cells "talk" to each other. Communication proceeds nonverbally ...