Study: New Pathway for Alzheimer's Disease Found

University of Pennsylvania researchers believe they have opened a new front in the battle against Alzheimer's disease by discovering how a protein long associated with the disease works to kill brain cells.

As reported in the April 14 issue of the Journal of Cell Biology, the researchers found that the amyloid precursor protein seals off mitochondria in affected neurons, which results in a buildup of toxins that causes brain cells to die. The researchers believe that their findings may one day lead to the development of new drugs to prevent this process.

Although many biochemical and biophysical factors have been associated with Alzheimer's disease, the researchers said what has remained unclear is any of them actually causes Alzheimer's or are merely side effects of the disease.

"The pathway we observed, which leads directly to common symptoms, is the first with a demonstrated ability to cause the neuronal death associated with Alzheimer's disease," said researcher Hindupur Anandatheerthavarada, a biochemistry professor at the university.

Although their findings are consistent with the progressive nature of Alzheimer's, the researchers said they were unexpected because most prior research has focused on the protein's effects elsewhere and not on mitochondria.

The researchers also found that the protein also damages neurons containing a toxin called A-Beta. This toxin, a known component of the brain plaques and tangles that are a hallmark of Alzheimer's, is cleaved from the rest of the immobilized protein and accumulates in brain cells.

Other sources: University of Pennsylvania