Mouse Study Finds Memory Loss Reversal

With the constant research into Alzheimer’s disease in the past few decades, scientists remain hopeful in finding a cure. Numerous studies have shown promise, covering several aspects of potential causes for the disease. Recently, however, a study conducted by scientists at the University of Buffalo have identified a way to reverse memory loss in mice. This obviously brings good news for those who have the disease, and the healthcare services that help them.

Currently, around 850,000 people suffer with Alzheimer’s in the UK, whom most receive specialist dementia care. It’s unfortunately predicted to rise to 1 million by 2025 in the UK. Those who live in care with the condition, experience a complex mix of symptoms which are caused by various factors- both genetic and environmental.

Despite the heavy research spanning many years, healthcare services still hope for something promising soon as there’s such a large strain on social services currently. Still, there isn’t any treatments to even delay the progression of the disease. Thankfully, there’s ongoing support for dementia care from scientists.

To help for a future for those who live in care, the researchers at the University found it’s possible to stop certain electrical signals transmitting, and ones that are responsible for a person’s memory. Additionally, their study analysed changes in DNA instructions, which enabled a better understanding of epigenetics and how they interfere with the signals between neurons that cause memory loss. After this discovery, the development of drugs that could restore memory can begin. Not only did this find occur, but also Professor Zhen Yan said they “found ways to temporarily reverse them in an animal model”.

Previously, research into Alzheimer’s disease focused on eradicating the build up of protein molecules that occur, which is what causes it to progress so intensely. Because of this, Professor Zhen Yan and the team looked at different areas that impacted this forming within the memory. Doing so proved hopeful for those who live in care.

One area they delved into was the brain’s frontal cortex. They discovered it slowly lost receptors needed for a neurotransmitter glutamate, which manages working memory. Furthermore, upon examining deceased human patients who had Alzheimer’s, showed to lack the receptors which led to an enzyme group that could affect the genes that make them. Thus, this allows for insight into how the team can inhibit the enzymes.

With that being said, Professor Yan and their team said “the rescue of cognitive function confirmed through evaluations of recognition memory, spatial memory and working memory”. Such improvements only found to last one week, however, now the team continues to make the method more accurate; allowing the inhibitor drug to have a stronger effect.

This new research poses new hope for those who have some form of Alzheimer’s or are in dementia care, as it’s been 15 years without new drugs. Although the effects on mice look promising, there isn’t any way of predicting how it will affect humans. Moreover, when studying epigenetics it’s important for researchers to keep in mind the potential dangers, for targeting such mechanisms.

However, this type of research is still exciting for future prospects in healthcare services, as it’s possible to reverse changes within the brains of mice, helping to improve function. Only time will tell for how this sort of research develops.