The naturally occurring protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may be used to treat Alzheimer’s disease in the future. This production of the protein, which is normally generated in the part of the brain that supports memory, decreases the presence of Alzheimer’s. In study experiments conducted by a team of researchers from the University of California, San Diego, the protein was injected into cell culture and animal models. Findings showed that in those animals treated with BDNF, their ability to perform well in learning and memory tests improved significantly as compared to the control group of non-treated animals.
“The effects of BDNF were potent,” says Mark Tuszynski, MD, PhD, professor of neurosciences at the UC San Diego School of Medicine and neurologist at the Veterans Affairs San Diego Health System. “When we administered BDNF to memory circuits in the brain, we directly stimulated their activity and prevented cell death from the underlying disease.”
The work of the UC researchers builds on previous studies that have shown the effectiveness of nerve growth factor (NGF) given to Alzheimer’s patients. In 2001, the team implanted NGF genes into the brains of people with Alzheimer’s – the first such implant ever conducted. Follow-ups with the patients showed the slowing of cognitive decline and increased metabolic brain function. Today, multi-center Phase 2 studies are currently underway.
Unfortunately, however, despite these promising results, Dr. Tuszynski explains that the effect of the NGF boost will be cancelled out by death of neurons in the cerebral cortex resulting from the advancement of the disease. “In contrast, BDNF acts directly on dying cells in specific memory circuits of the brain,” Tuszynski says. “In this series of studies, we have shown that BDNF targets the cortical cells themselves, preventing their death, stimulating their function, and improving learning and memory. Thus, BDNF treatment can potentially provide long-lasting protection by slowing, or even stopping disease progression in the cortical regions that receive treatment.”
News Release: Alzheimer’s prevented and reversed with natural protein in animal models www.sciencedaily.com February 9, 2009
