Study shows 'reversal' of neurological damage possible

May 9, 2016

Symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s could be ‘reversed’ after ground breaking research by Leicester University.

Researchers discovered lower levels of toxic metabolites in the nervous system could lessen several symptoms of neurodegeneration.  In experiments using fruit flies, scientists explored the role of certain metabolites in the kynurenine pathway, a metabolic pathway. Some of these metabolites have been implicated in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease.

Professor Giorgini, from Leicester University, said: “The two most common neurodegenerative disorders worldwide are Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. The treatment options for these diseases are limited, and to date no cures exist. Our hope is that by improving our knowledge of how these nerve cells become sick and die in the brain, we can help devise ways to interfere with these processes, and thereby either delay disease onset or prevent disease altogether.”

The focus of the research were metabolites related to the breakdown of tryptophan, an amino acid. Kynurenic acid (KYNA) and 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK), produced by the amino acid’s breakdown, both have opposite effects on cells. KYNA has been shown to prevent nerve cell degeneration whereas 3-HK has neurotoxic properties.

The fruit flies were given a chemical that inhibited tryptophan-2, 3-dioxygenase (TDO), an enzyme that regulates the relationship between 3-HK and KYNA. With the fruit flies now producing more KYNA, improved movement and lengthened lifespan was noted.

Carlo Breda, co-author from Leicester University, said: “A key finding of our study is that we can improve “symptoms” in fruit fly models of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease by feeding them a drug-like chemical. Our experiments have identified TDO as a very promising new drug target.“

Testing for the same effects in humans will be the next step taken. The research was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

http://www.labnews.co.uk/news/study-shows-reversal-neurological-damage-possible-09-05-2016/