Study unveils key mechanism in Alzheimer's disease

A new study from the University of Liverpool represents a significant step forward in scientists' understanding of Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers have shed new light on how mechanical signalling in the brain is disrupted and could lead to the condition which accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases worldwide.

"Our paper outlines that APP is fundamental for the mechanical coupling of synapses in the brain and how the processing of APP is part of a mechanical signalling pathway that maintains synaptic integrity. However, misprocessing of APP, due to altered mechanical cues, disrupts this pathway, leading to the synaptic degeneration observed in Alzheimer's and could explain the memory loss associated. What's most exciting is our paper highlights the intriguing possibility that repurposing currently available cancer drugs that stabilize focal adhesions might represent a way to restore mechanical integrity at synapses. Whilst currently this is only a theoretical prediction, our current research is focussed on testing whether this represents a novel approach to slow the progression of Alzheimer's.

"Further research is needed to test the theories that emerge from these new findings. However, this marks a significant moment in better understanding this disease and could move us closer to early diagnosis and treatment."

Source:

University of Liverpool

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