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IMAGE: Nirmal Verma, Ph.D., and several other researchers contributed to the recent study potentially linking low blood amylin levels to reduced progression of Alzheimer s disease. view more
Credit: Photo by Pete Comparoni | UKphoto
LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 20, 2021) - More than 5.7 million Americans live with Alzheimer s disease and that number is projected to triple by 2050. Despite the growing number there is not a cure. Florin Despa a professor with the University of Kentucky s department of pharmacology and nutritional sciences says, The mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases are largely unknown and effective therapies are lacking. That is why numerous studies and trials are ongoing around the world including at the University of Kentucky. One of those studies by University of Kentucky researchers was recently published in
Harmful and Healing Responses to Brain Injury Diverge by Cellular Mediators and Time
January 20, 2021
Harmful and healing immune responses to cerebrovascular injury depend on the timing of the response and cells mediating the response, a new study reports.
Injury to blood vessels in the brain, or cerebrovascular injury, commonly caused by a stroke that blocks a blood vessel (ischemic stroke), can result in severe swelling and inflammation.
In patients with short-term blockade of a blood vessel in the brain removing a blood clot from the lumen of a prominent blood vessel to restore blood flow, is often associated with poor clinical outcomes.
Jan 20 2021 Read 13516 Times
In a novel twist for COVID-19 research, a team of neuroscientists from the NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke has uncovered data suggesting llama antibodies could be used to prevent and diagnose human infections. The team managed to isolate tiny nanobodies’ produced by a laboratory llama named Cormac, with preliminary results suggesting a particular single-domain fragment known as NIH-CoVnb-112 could be used to latch onto SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins and prevent infection.
From brain imaging to epidemiology
Findings were published in the journal Scientific Reports, with senior author David L. Brody saying the study is an exciting step forward for COVID-19 research. “For years TJ and I had been testing out how to use nanobodies to improve brain imaging. When the pandemic broke, we thought this was a once in a lifetime, all-hands-on-deck situation and joined the fight, says Brody. We hope that these anti-COVID-19 nanobodi
The team’s work shows that early pathological processes in the brains of individuals who are genetically predisposed to develop Alzheimer’s disease are modulated by a pancreatic hormone called amylin. This study is the first to show that the brains of patients with familial AD accumulate amyloid-forming amylin secreted by the pancreas. “Our study suggests an alternative approach to reduce the progression of Alzheimer’s disease through the modulation of blood levels of amylin. In addition, the results of this study can point to the pancreatic hormone amylin as a potential missing molecular link between metabolic disorders and increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Specifically, amylin dysregulation contributes to both type-2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.”