A team of researchers at Baylor College of Medicine has made a groundbreaking discovery that may hold the key to fighting Alzheimer’s disease. By activating a protein called Sox9, they were able to boost star-shaped brain cells known as astrocytes and turn them into powerful cleaners that remove toxic plaques linked to memory loss.
The study focused on mice with Alzheimer’s-like symptoms, where researchers increased or removed Sox9 production and monitored their cognitive abilities for six months. The results showed that boosting Sox9 helped clear out the harmful deposits, protecting the memory of the mice. In contrast, reducing Sox9 expression accelerated plaque formation, reduced astrocyte complexity, and decreased clearance of amyloid deposits.
The study’s findings suggest that enhancing astrocyte activity could be a crucial approach to slowing cognitive decline in neurodegenerative conditions. The researchers believe that their discovery opens the door to therapies that harness the power of astrocytes to fight these diseases.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-find-a-way-to-help-the-brain-clear-alzheimers-plaques-naturally