Monday, March 29, 2010

Neuroscientists reverse Alzheimer’s-like memory loss by targeting signaling protein in fruitflies

Source: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: March 29, 2010

Summary:

Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. – By blocking the cellular signaling activity of a protein, a team of neuroscientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) has prevented memory loss in fruit flies caused by brain plaques similar to those thought to cause Alzheimer’s disease in humans. The study also resolves a long-standing controversy about the role of this protein, PI3 kinase, which was previously thought to have a protective function against the disease. The study appears online, ahead of print, March 29th in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences..