Researchers studied brain tissues and found that a sugar molecule is heavily linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
The researchers are still doing research because the molecule is a new discovery. If their findings are true, it would be an early diagnostic test and possible treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.
New Study Suggests Big Changes in the Brain’s Detoxification Process
Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most common forms of dementia in the United States, happening when nerve cells die off due to harmful protein buildup. It affects an estimated 5.8 million Americans and is attacked by both amyloid and tau proteins.
Alzheimer’s causes a buildup of amyloid, which is removed by microglia cells. Studies have found that if this process is slowed down, Alzheimer’s will be more likely to develop. CD33 plays an important role in brain cell signals and may cause cognitive decline when too many of them are present.
The research team looked at the brain tissues of five people who died from Alzheimer’s disease and five other deaths in order to find the glycoprotein that connects to CD33. There were many thousands, but only one connection with CD33.
They used CD33’s ability to bind with the mystery glycoprotein to isolate it and examine it.
One particular glycoprotein, among many thousands of others in the brain tissue, is connected to CD33 and suggests the protein may require further study.
The researchers were trying to find a certain glycoprotein that attaches to the protein CD33. To do this, they needed to find a way to separate it from other brain glycoproteins. They found that the only glycoprotein in the brain that was like this was the one attaching itself to CD33. This helped them “catch” and separate it.
Finding a new drug target for Alzheimer’s disease is possible with the identification of a unique glycoprotein in the brain.