neurodegenerative diseases

Discovery May Lead To Treatment For Neurodegenerative Diseases

admin — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:15:02 -0500

Over the past several decades, many laboratories have studied the communication between nerve cells and muscle fibers that are crucial to form and maintain neuromuscular synapses. Now, researchers have found that a protein named Lrp4 is the missing link that allows communication between two crucial molecules -- one derived from the nerve and the other from muscle -- that enables the formation of the synapse.

Key protein molecule linked to diverse human chronic inflammator...

admin — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 00:00:00 -0500

(Virginia Tech) Liwu Li, associate professor of biological sciences at Virginia Tech, has revealed a common connection between the cellular innate immunity network and human chronic inflammatory diseases, including atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. The finding presents a viable cellular and molecular target for the diagnosis and treatment of serious human inflammatory diseases, according to Li.

Protein Essential In Long Term Memory Consolidation Identified

admin — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:12 -0500

New research has identified a specific protein essential for the process of long term memory consolidation. The process of memory creation and consolidation is the first to be affected in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's; understanding the biological mechanisms of this process brings us one step closer to finding a treatment for these incurable diseases.

How Small Molecule Can Take Apart Alzheimer's Disease Protein Fi...

admin — Tue, 20 May 2008 14:15:12 -0500

Researchers have shown, in unprecedented detail, how a small molecule is able to selectively take apart abnormally folded protein fibers connected to Alzheimer's disease and prion diseases. Finding a way to dismantle misfolded proteins has implications for new treatments for a host of neurodegenerative diseases.

Yeast Has Potential For Selecting Lou Gehrig's Disease Drugs, St...

admin — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:00:00 -0500

Researchers are developing a novel approach to screen for drugs to combat neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease -- using yeast cells. The clumping process of proteins takes decades in humans but the researchers could model the process within a matter of hours in yeast cells. This now allows for rapid genetic screening to identify proteins that can reverse the harmful effects of the disease protein; visualizing the clumping; and testing molecules that could eliminate or prevent clumping.