Martin Hallbeck
Sweden
Stopping the propagation of Alzheimer and other dementias
590,860
01-01-2014
3.0
Alzheimer's disease & other dementias
Alzheimer disease | Beta amyloid | disease progression | assay | high throughput screening | Protein Transport
The hallmark of Alzheimer´s disease is the continuous loss of cognitive functions. The progression is caused by the spread of the disease to more and more brain areas via anatomical connections. Our recent work has shown that the spread of Alzheimer´s disease most likely depends on neuron to neuron of beta-amyloid oligomers, causing toxicity in the receiving cells. Now, we want to investigate the cellular mechanisms of transmission, compare it to other transmissible neurodegenerative proteins (alfa-synuclein and tau) and screen for substances that interact with the spreading. To understand the mechanisms of progression is highly important for both Alzheimer´s disease and related dementias. The proposed approach relies on our established and unique model of synaptic transmission between human neuronal like cells, something that has previously been difficult to target. To develop high-throughput screening of this phenomenon is very important to be able to find substances with an effect on transmission of neurodegenerative proteins. The long term goal is to find classes of chemical substances that have effect on the transmission. Through chemical analysis of these substances it will be possible to find both pre- and post-synaptic mechanisms that are involved. This will help us understand the mechanisms of transfer but also to search for potential drugs to stop the progression of Alzheimer?s disease. We are currently in a unique position to accomplish this project.