PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

Novel herbal compound offers potential to prevent and treat Alzheimer's disease

Findings published in Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience

2013-02-16
(Press-News.org) Amsterdam, NL, February 15, 2013 – Administration of the active compound tetrahydroxystilbene glucoside (TSG) derived from the Chinese herbal medicine Polygonum multiflorum Thunb, reversed both overexpression of α-synuclein, a small protein found in the brain, and its accumulation using a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. These results, which may shed light on the neuropathology of AD and open up new avenues of treatment, are available in the current issue of Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience.

Aberrant accumulation of α-synuclein can form insoluble aggregates that have been implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Researchers have now found that overexpression of α-synuclein increases with age and have demonstrated that α-synuclein aggregates in the hippocampus of older mice compared to normal controls.

"Our results raise the possibility that TSG might be a novel compound for the treatment of AD and dementia with Lewy body," says co-lead investigator Lan Zhang, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Diseases of Ministry of Education, Department of Pharmacology of Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University in Beijing.

The study used an animal model of AD: APPV717I transgenic (Tg) mice with the London mutation. In previous work, the authors showed that these mice show cognitive impairments beginning at 4 months of age and develop amyloid plaques in the brain that are evident by 10 months.

In one series of experiments, 4 month old Tg mice were divided into 3 groups and received daily intragastric administration of distilled water (controls), low dose TSG (120 µmol/kg/d), or high dose TSG (240 µmol/kg/d). A fourth group consisted of age-matched non-Tg controls. The mice were treated until 10 months of age. In a second series of experiments, 10-month-old mice were divided into similar control and TSG-treated groups and were treated for 6 months.

The authors used a variety of techniques to hone in on what was happening in the brains of the Tg mice compared to age-matched controls: cDNA microarray analysis, reverse transcription PCR, western blotting, and immunochemistry. They found that α-synuclein messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression levels increase in a time-dependent manner in the hippocampus of Tg mice between ages 4 and 16 months and α-synuclein aggregation was noticeable at 16 months. Age-related increases in α-synuclein were also seen in the control mice but to a lesser degree.

"We suggest that, besides increased Aβ (beta-amyloid) and amyloid plaques, overexpression and aggregation of α-synuclein in the hippocampus might partially account for cognitive impairment in this Tg mouse model of AD," comments co-lead investigator Lin Li, MD, PhD, Professor and Director, Department of Pharmacology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University in Beijing. She adds that "α-synuclein overexpression occurs even in the early phase of AD and may accelerate Aβ production and deposition, which further facilitates α-synuclein overexpression and accumulation."

Analysis of the TSG-treated groups showed that TSG-treatment from the age of 4 to 10 months significantly downregulated α-synuclein mRNA and protein overexpression in the hippocampus of the Tg mice, and the effect was stronger at the higher dose. This suggests that TSG may have a role in preventing the neurotoxic effects of α-synuclein on synaptic function and cell activity. In addition, the finding that Tg reduced α-synuclein overexpression in older animals (>10 months) may indicate that it has therapeutic potential even after neuropathologic changes have occurred.

In previous work, the authors found that TSG acts as a "cognitive enhancer" to improve learning and memory in both APP transgenic mice and aged rats. The authors emphasize that while it is not completely clear how TSG works, their findings open up a new area of research. "The role of α-synuclein, especially in the early phase of AD, and its interaction with Aβ should be considered when developing new therapeutic strategies to target AD pathogenesis," says Dr. Zhang.

### END


ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Research shows long-term effects of traumatic brain injury

2013-02-16
Research shows long-term effects of traumatic brain injury Article provided by B. L. Jensen, L.P. Visit us at http://www.bjensenlaw.com In recent years, researchers and health care providers have been devoting increased attention to the long-term effects of traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs. In the past, it was thought that most TBIs cleared up on their own with no lasting consequences. However, modern research has revealed that even relatively mild TBIs often result in physical and cognitive problems that may persist for years after the initial injury. A traumatic ...

Getting to yes: five ways to improve your SSDI claim

2013-02-16
Getting to yes: five ways to improve your SSDI claim Article provided by The Bollinger Law Firm, P.C. Visit us at http://www.bollingerlawfirmnc.com Permanent disability can cause devastating economic results and significant changes to your ability to work (or end it altogether). To assist in these cases, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), managed by the Social Security Administration (SSA), was created to provide life-long financial support to workers who become disabled. Although SSDI benefits are designed to help, the application process can be frustrating, ...

Sleeping in car can result in DWI charge

2013-02-16
Sleeping in car can result in DWI charge Article provided by Glenn R. Bruno, Esq. Visit us at http://www.hudsonvalleycriminallaw.com New York residents know a DWI charge comes with devastating consequences. Along with hefty fines and potential jail time, a DWI charge results in a significant loss of freedom. A driver's license is normally suspended or revoked, and installation of an ignition interlock device is usually required. Man charged with DWI after found sleeping in car Recently, a 48-year-old man was charged with a DWI after officers found him sleeping ...

California grandparents can take steps to continue relationships

2013-02-16
California grandparents can take steps to continue relationships Article provided by Lerner o Poole, LLP Visit us at http://www.cafamilylaw.com/ Like in most states, grandparents in California do not automatically have custody or visitation rights over their grandchildren. In the event a grandparent wishes to be awarded either custody or visitation, they must receive an order from the court. Of course, there are several different factors the court will consider in determining whether such arrangements will be allowed. When can a grandparent request visitation? When ...

Surge in student debt prompts Congress to reconsider bankruptcy laws

2013-02-16
Surge in student debt prompts Congress to reconsider bankruptcy laws Article provided by John Christopher Robinson Visit us at http://www.debtfreeky.com Go to college, get a good job. Unfortunately, this old maxim may no longer hold true. In these tough economic times getting a college degree does not always lead to a job, let alone a good one. The national unemployment rate continues to hover around 8 percent and college graduates are struggling to find employment after graduation. Unemployment rates for college graduates over 25 were estimated at 4.1 percent ...

Divorce and finances, bankruptcy may offer a fresh start

2013-02-16
Divorce and finances, bankruptcy may offer a fresh start Article provided by John Christopher Robinson Visit us at http://www.debtfreeky.com When a couple gets a divorce, most property accumulated by the couple is divided. This includes any debts accumulated by the couple. This can lead to financial stresses in a number of ways. The most common stressor comes from the fact that the same amount of money now needs to support two households. Additional issues can arise if accounts were not properly managed during the divorce process. If, for example, confusion existed ...

Oregon Chapter 13 bankruptcy and lien stripping

2013-02-16
Oregon Chapter 13 bankruptcy and lien stripping Article provided by Hackett & Harris LLC Visit us at http://www.portlandlawyerbankruptcy.com Oregon residents who are going through bankruptcy may be able to strip liens from second mortgages and car loans to make the payments more manageable. However, lien stripping is only available to individuals or families that are going through a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. What is chapter 13 bankruptcy? In a chapter 13 bankruptcy debts are repaid on a three to five year payment plan schedule. The payment plan amount is ...

Minneapolis study sheds light on causes of bike-car accidents

2013-02-16
Minneapolis study sheds light on causes of bike-car accidents Article provided by Walsh & Gaertner, P.A. Visit us at http://www.walsh-gaertner.com The Twin Cities area is well-known throughout the country for its pro-bike culture. Metro-area Minnesotans love to ride, and local governments in St. Paul, Minneapolis and many suburban communities have been working hard over the last several years to increase options for cyclists and make Twin Cities streets safer for bicycle commuters. Despite these improvements, car-bike accidents are still a pressing concern ...

How does an immigrant qualify for asylum?

2013-02-16
How does an immigrant qualify for asylum? Article provided by Mark E. Jacobs, P.C. Visit us at http://www.markejacobslaw.com/ As the political debate regarding immigration heats up in the United States Congress, there is bi-partisan agreement that immigrants here both legally and illegally are seeking better lives for themselves and their families. However, if someone entered the U.S. illegally or overstayed their visa, their status puts them in constant danger of deportation. One way someone in the U.S. illegally might be able regain legal status is to apply for ...

Pennsylvania police crack down on underage drinking

2013-02-16
Pennsylvania police crack down on underage drinking Article provided by Blanarik Law Offices Visit us at http://www.blanariklawoffices.com Though the legal drinking age is 21, many teens in Pennsylvania choose to consume alcohol anyway. Underage drinking is particularly prevalent on Pennsylvania's many college campuses. However, young people would be mistaken to think that mere fact that underage drinking is not uncommon means that it is tolerated by law enforcement. This fall, Pennsylvania State Police launched a crackdown on underage drinking, focusing on college ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Are lifetimes of big appliances really shrinking?

Pink skies

Monkeys are world’s best yodellers - new research

Key differences between visual- and memory-led Alzheimer’s discovered

% weight loss targets in obesity management – is this the wrong objective?

An app can change how you see yourself at work

NYC speed cameras take six months to change driver behavior, effects vary by neighborhood, new study reveals

New research shows that propaganda is on the rise in China

Even the richest Americans face shorter lifespans than their European counterparts, study finds

Novel genes linked to rare childhood diarrhea

New computer model reveals how Bronze Age Scandinavians could have crossed the sea

Novel point-of-care technology delivers accurate HIV results in minutes

Researchers reveal key brain differences to explain why Ritalin helps improve focus in some more than others

Study finds nearly five-fold increase in hospitalizations for common cause of stroke

Study reveals how alcohol abuse damages cognition

Medicinal cannabis is linked to long-term benefits in health-related quality of life

Microplastics detected in cat placentas and fetuses during early pregnancy

Ancient amphibians as big as alligators died in mass mortality event in Triassic Wyoming

Scientists uncover the first clear evidence of air sacs in the fossilized bones of alvarezsaurian dinosaurs: the "hollow bones" which help modern day birds to fly

Alcohol makes male flies sexy

TB patients globally often incur "catastrophic costs" of up to $11,329 USD, despite many countries offering free treatment, with predominant drivers of cost being hospitalization and loss of income

Study links teen girls’ screen time to sleep disruptions and depression

Scientists unveil starfish-inspired wearable tech for heart monitoring

Footprints reveal prehistoric Scottish lagoons were stomping grounds for giant Jurassic dinosaurs

AI effectively predicts dementia risk in American Indian/Alaska Native elders

First guideline on newborn screening for cystic fibrosis calls for changes in practice to improve outcomes

Existing international law can help secure peace and security in outer space, study shows

Pinning down the process of West Nile virus transmission

UTA-backed research tackles health challenges across ages

In pancreatic cancer, a race against time

[Press-News.org] Novel herbal compound offers potential to prevent and treat Alzheimer's disease
Findings published in Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience