Alzheimer’s Biomarkers Linked to Disruption of Blood-Brain Barrier MedicalNewsToday

Alzheimer's Biomarkers Linked to Disruption of Blood-Brain Barrier MedicalNewsToday

Revolutionizing Alzheimer’s treatment: Researchers discover unique molecular changes in the blood-brain barrier

Dementia has affected over 57 million people worldwide, with up to 80% of them diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. There are several symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, ranging from memory problems and confusion to difficulty completing familiar tasks. Researchers have found that these symptoms result from changes in the blood-brain barrier, a semi-permeable membrane that shields the brain from toxic substances and supplies the brain with nutrients.

The Study

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Florida conducted a study to investigate the changes in the blood-brain barrier associated with Alzheimer’s disease. They studied postmortem brains from 12 Alzheimer’s disease patients and 12 healthy patients and analyzed thousands of cells from several regions of the brain to identify molecular changes.

Blood-brain barrier dysfunction in AD

The blood-brain barrier lines capillaries in the brain and is made up of three cell types: endothelial cells, pericytes, and astrocytes, plus capillary basement membrane. These structures work together to ensure that harmful molecules do not reach the brain, but in Alzheimer’s disease, this system breaks down. The study concentrated on pericytes, which maintain the blood-brain barrier, and astrocytes, the support cells.

Molecular signatures and their effects

The researchers identified two molecules that changed the way the cells communicated. They then performed further experiments in vitro using the two molecules and found an inverse relationship between VEGFA and SMAD3. Activation of the VEGFA pathway decreased SMAD3 in pericytes, whereas inhibition of the VEGFA pathway increased it.

Further experiments in zebrafish showed that when VEGFA signaling was blocked, SMAD3 was upregulated, and the blood-brain barrier began to break down. The study suggests that these molecular signatures could lead to new methods for diagnosing and treating Alzheimer’s disease.

Possible Treatment

According to Nilüfer Ertekin-Taner, M. D., Ph. D., the senior author, chair of the Department of Neuroscience at Mayo Clinic and leader of the Genetics of Alzheimer’s Disease and Endophenotypes Laboratory at Mayo Clinic in Florida, the identified genes and molecules have the potential to become both biomarkers and therapeutic targets of blood-brain barrier dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease.

In addition, Emer MacSweeney, MD, consultant neuroradiologist, and CEO at Re:Cognition Health believes that the findings open “new avenues for understanding Alzheimer’s pathology and developing innovative interventions.” She said that the signatures provide potential targets for therapies aimed at stabilizing the blood-brain barrier and could lead to personalized treatment strategies that might slow disease progression and improve patient outcomes.

Potential Biomarkers

The researchers found that blood levels of SMAD3 were associated with imaging findings of Alzheimer’s in living patients, providing evidence that Alzheimer’s brain changes can be detected in the blood of living patients. Ertekin-Taner suggested that these brain-linked signatures could be potential biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease.

Conclusion

These findings are critical for advancing Alzheimer’s treatment and identifying patients at risk, mainly given the increasing incidence of dementia worldwide. Innovative interventions and personalized treatment strategies like those described in this study could aid in slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and improving patient outcomes.

Originally Post From https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/alzheimers-biomarkers-linked-blood-vessel-vascular-changes-brain

Read more about this topic at
Blood–brain barrier disruption and sustained systemic …
Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB): What It Is and Function

Boosting Cancer Treatment Response with New AI Model from NDTV

FDA approves Pyzchiva biosimilar to Stelara