Alzheimer's, Parkinson's Diseases Could Be Halted By Protecting Neurons

Researchers at Southern Methodist University and the University of Texas at Dallas have identified some compounds that might slow the degeneration of neurons in aging patients, thus prolonging the onset of diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

These synthesized compounds are derivatives of compounds that have been shown to slow neuronal death, but are also toxic in doses not much larger than that which is protective so can not be used in humans. They are cell permeable chemical inhibitors of pro-apoptosic signaling molecules that have completely inhibited the death of cultured cerebellar granule and cortical neurons in tests. They have also prevented striatal degeneration and improved the behavioral performance of mice. These new compounds maintain the protective benefits of these older compounds such as GW5074, without becoming toxic at such low doses.

Currently, the only treatments available for these diseases are to treat the symptoms because the causes of diseases such as Parkinson’s are not well known. Therefore the patients have to take more and more drugs to try and sustain the same quality of life as more and more of their neurons die. This leads to unwanted negative side effects. If one of these substances or even some future approach proves to actually be able to stop the progression of the disease, the quality and ease of life could become exponentially better for these patients. So far these compounds have not been thoroughly tested, only in mice, but they do offer hope for a better future for elderly patients. As neural research continues, the chances that someday these diseases will actually be preventable give our younger generation further security of mind as well.

Source: Kim Cobb (SMU)

VTPP 434-501

Brian Bass