The blood-brain barrier -- a network of blood vessels and tissues that nurtures and protects the brain from harmful substances circulating in the blood -- is disrupted in Alzheimer's disease. Now, researchers have uncovered unique molecular signatures of blood-brain barrier dysfunction that could point to new ways to diagnose and treat the disease.
The blood-brain barrier -- a network of blood vessels and tissues that nurtures and protects the brain from harmful substances circulating in the blood -- is disrupted in Alzheimer's disease. Now, researchers have uncovered unique molecular signatures of blood-brain barrier dysfunction that could point to new ways to diagnose and treat the disease.
They focused on brain vascular cells, which make up a small portion of cell types in the brain, to examine molecular changes associated with Alzheimer's disease. In particular, they looked at two cell types that play an important role in maintaining the blood-brain barrier: pericytes, the gatekeepers of the brain that maintain the integrity of blood vessels, and their support cells known as astrocytes, to determine if and how they interact.
Donors with higher blood SMAD3 levels had less vascular damage and better Alzheimer's disease-related outcomes, according to the researchers. The team says more research is needed to determine how SMAD3 levels in the brain impact SMAD3 levels in blood.
Brain Tumor Healthy Aging Heart Disease Alzheimer's Disorders And Syndromes Dementia Brain Injury
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New Hope in Alzheimer’s Fight: Researchers Identify Unique Early BiomarkerScience, Space and Technology News 2024
Read more »
Alzheimer’s Breakthrough: Researchers Discover Novel Way To Potentially Halt Disease ProgressionScience, Space and Technology News 2024
Read more »
In Alzheimer’s breakthrough, researchers identify ‘protective gene’ that delays disease in high-risk familyA significant Alzheimer’s study sheds new light on a protective gene that appears to delay the disease in those destined to develop it. A researcher shared how it could 'transform lives.'
Read more »
Breast cancer: New blood test can predict return, researchers sayThe test can find traces of a tumour's DNA before a full relapse, allowing treatment to start early, experts say.
Read more »
Brain Scans After Memory Shifts May Show Alzheimer's RiskOlder people at high risk of Alzheimer’s disease who reported significant memory problems in the past year were more likely to have early signs of the disease in their brains, compared to people who didn’t report major memory changes, according to a new study.
Read more »
Unlocking Alzheimer’s: Memory Complaints Can Predict Biological Changes in the BrainScience, Space and Technology News 2024
Read more »