Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh have successfully mapped the cortical proteome in conjunction with dendritic spine quantification and identified proteins that mediate the effects of aging on the brain.
Description
From a signature of proteins associated with spine loss in aging, a set of 10 drugs is identified that may protect the brain from these effects and provide a protective effect against the onset of neurodegenerative dementia. Dendritic spines are components of excitatory synapses. As we age, we lose dendritic spine density in the prefrontal cortex and this loss, along with loss in other neocortical areas, is correlated with cognitive decline. Even in the presence of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD)-related pathology, preservation of dendritic spine density is shown to promote cognitive resilience. Preventing dendritic spine loss could be a novel strategy in inhibiting age-related cognitive decline.
Applications
• Age-related cognitive decline
• Alzheimer's Disease and dementia onset
Advantages
Currently over 55 million people worldwide are living with dementia. AD is the most common form of dementia and believed to be a contributor in 60–70% of cases. As global populations age these conditions continue to grow in prevalence with nearly 10 million new cases each year. Dementia remains one of the major causes of disability among older people, impacting the patient, their family, carers, and society. There is currently no cure for dementia and as such presents a serious global unmet health need.
This novel approach would reverse age-related loss of dendritic spine density providing a protective effect against this debilitating disease, compared with the current approach of treating the symptoms of dementia and associated co-morbidities.
Invention Readiness
The precuneus is an area of the brain associated with early AD-related pathology and disease progression. Research shows the density of large dendritic spines was negatively correlated with age in the precuneus. Additionally, a significant correlation was made between proteins in cellular homogenate and age. Statistical analysis revealed five protein network modules that significantly mediate the effects of age on the density of large dendritic spines. Myelination by oligodendrocytes may play a novel role and be a potential target for increasing cognitive resilience during aging.
IP Status
https://patents.google.com/patent/US20240108595A1
