January 23, 2001 – In a landmark experiment linked to research on Alzheimer’s disease, researchers succeeded in improving the cognitive performance of genetically modified mice by injecting a protein called “nerve growth factor” (nerve growth factor) stimulating the formation of neurons. This is the first time that a specific molecule has been used to help the brain create new neural circuits.
According to Dr Howard Federov, director of the Center for Developmental Biology and Aging at the University of Rochester, the modified mice not only learned much faster than control mice when subjected to learning exercises in complicated mazes, but their memory has also improved.
Several copies of a gene known to generate the nerve growth factor that allows neurons to multiply their synapses and bind together remotely have been introduced into the cells of the hippocampus of genetically engineered mice. When they reached adulthood (about three months), a virus was used to activate this gene. Then, the experimental mice and the control mice were divided into three groups. One group remained in a cage, a second group traversed the same maze day after day, and a third group had to find its way through a new maze each day.
At autopsy, a specific group of neurons, which formed the basis of the brains of the modified mice and which had been subjected to the intensive training, appeared 60% larger than in the mice which had not had the training. According to Dr. Federoff, daily stimulation of the new labyrinth appears to be the element that increased the effect of nerve growth factor on nerve circuits and neuronal reorganization.
No negative effects were observed during the nine months of the research, a period that brought the mice to an advanced stage of their adult life.
This research makes it possible to consider the development of gene therapies for several neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease. But it will be several years before clinical experiments can be undertaken in humans with this particular approach. Until then, we will also know the result of the work of researchers at the University of California at San Diego, who recently transplanted into the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease cells taken from their skin and genetically modified to produce more. nerve growth factor.
HealthPassport.net
According to Associated Press, January 15, 2001
Brooks AI, Cory-Slechta DA, Federoff HJ. Gene-experience interaction alters the cholinergic septohippocampal pathway of mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci US A. 2000 Nov 21; 97 (24): 13378-83.
