Scientists at the Scripps Research Institute in the United States have recently identified the "culprit" responsible for the deterioration of Alzheimer's disease, revealing its molecular driving factors. The research team hopes that these molecules could serve as drug targets, playing a role in the development of treatments or therapies. The related paper was published in the journal "Advanced Science" on the 21st.
Previous studies have indicated that in Alzheimer's disease patients, certain neurons in the brain become overly active, emitting stronger or more frequent electrical signals than normal, leading to a decline in cognitive abilities.
In their latest research, the team developed a new system called single-cell patch-clamp/proteomics. With this system, they were able to precisely measure individual brain cells, comparing cells affected by Alzheimer's disease with healthy cells. They also utilized methods for accurately measuring neuronal electrical activity developed earlier, along with improved mass spectrometry, to detect levels of over 2,250 different proteins within each nerve cell.
Researchers analyzed the electrical patterns and protein levels of around 150 neurons, pinpointing nearly 50 proteins. Compared to healthy cells, these proteins showed higher or lower levels in overly active Alzheimer's disease cells. These proteins are involved in various neuronal functions, including controlling free radical electrons, energy metabolism, and inflammatory responses, with 15 proteins showing particularly high or low levels in Alzheimer's disease neurons. They plan to conduct further research on some of these molecules.
This study not only brings hope for the development of new therapies for Alzheimer's disease but also contributes to the discovery of drugs for other neurological disorders.
