A tablet for rejuvenation of neurons
Age-related memory loss is associated with a gradual deterioration in the structure and functioning of synapses (areas of contact between nerve cells) in the regions of the brain responsible for learning and memorization, such as the hippocampus.
The results of recent studies have shown that acetylation of histone nuclear proteins, a chemical process that regulates gene expression, makes a certain contribution to this process.
In particular, acetylation affects synaptic plasticity – the ability of brain cells to change the structure and reliability of the connection of synapses that provide information storage.
Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, working under the guidance of Dr. Cui-Wei Xie, found that, compared with young rats, the hippocampus of elderly animals is characterized by a lower content of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) – a protein that provides synaptic plasticity, – and lower levels of acetylation of the Bdnf gene encoding this protein.
Exposure to the hippocampus of elderly animals with a drug stimulating histone acetylation restored the production of brain neurotrophic factor and synaptic plasticity to levels characteristic of the brain of young rats.
The researchers also demonstrated that a drug that activates the transmembrane protein TrkB, which serves as a receptor for BDNF, also eliminates synaptic plasticity deficiency in elderly animals.
Given that histone acetylation performs many important functions in various tissues of the entire body, the second approach is a potential method of treating age-related cognitive impairment without interfering with other biochemical processes.
According to Dr. Xie, the data obtained shed light on the decrease in the efficiency of synapses and an increase in the likelihood of violations of their work as the body ages. This information should help in the development of new drugs to restore fading cognitive function and treat age-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.
Article by Yan Zeng et al. Epigenetic Enhancement of BDNF Signaling Rescues Synaptic Plasticity in Aging is published in The Journal of Neuroscience.
Evgeniya Ryabtseva
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru according to the materials of MedicalExpress:
Drug reverses aging-associated changes in brain cells.
09.12.2011