Alzheimer’s disease?

Probably makes your skin crawl when you hear it, right?

Global Risk Factors:

Neurodegenerative disease is no joke.  As the world population ages (particularly in the United States), cases of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders are expected to increase. In addition to demographic changes, environmental factors, particularly technology-related factors, are linked to higher rates of Alzheimer’s and other disorders of the brain.

While these changes are daunting, not all hope is lost. Much research has come out recently on the role of beta-amyloid plaques and synapse disruption as characterizing features of Alzheimer’s, as well as remedies to treat the condition. Our understanding of the disease seems to be increasing ever so quickly.

For instance, just yesterday the Oxford University Press published a study on the role of epigenetic dysregulation in Alzheimer’s disease.

Epigenetic Dysregulation:

Epigenetic dysregulation? It’s an overly complicated phrase that describes your genes being turned on and off via a mechanism. The mechanism of focus in the above study = Repressive Histone Modification (1).

According to the lead study author, Zhen Yan. Ph.D., repressive Histone Modification reduces the production of glutamate receptors in the brain (as was evidenced in their mousel model).

Repressive Histone Modification:

These receptors ensure the efficient communication of synapses in the brain, which in turn guarantee proper short term memory and learning skills.  Without communication between brain synapses, degeneration begins.

Specifically, the researchers found that “many subunits of glutamate receptors in the frontal cortex are downregulated, disrupting the excitatory signals, which impairs working memory” (2).

The good news? Various enzymes exist that moderate Repressive Histone modification.  This indicates that drugs targeting these enzymes could be capable prospects for treating Alzheimer’s patients.

Study Findings:

The researchers found that “treatment of FAD mice with EHMT1/2 inhibitors leads to the remarkable restoration of cognitive behaviors, including novel object recognition memory, working memory, and spatial memory” (3).

In addition, injecting the mice with the enzyme-blocking compounds resulted in the recovery of glutamate receptor expression and function in the frontal cortex (4).

Evidently, an epigenetic approach to Alzheimer’s, however new an approach it may be, offers promise to our understanding and treatment of Alzheimer’s.

References:

1. https://academic.oup.com/brain/advance-article/doi/10.1093/brain/awy354/5298257
2. https://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com/2010/01/what-is-alzheimers-disease.html (image)
3. https://academic.oup.com/brain/advance-article/doi/10.1093/brain/awy354/5298257
4. Ibid.

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