Laboratory research conducted in Leicester, UK, has pointed to new treatments for common neurodegenerative diseases, it has been announced.
Researchers say their findings could apply to diseases as varied as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s.
The research, reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, was conducted using fruit flies.
The scientists say their study has shown how to control metabolites released through the kynurenine pathway.
They say these metabolites are toxic to nerve cells – and that increased levels are found in the three diseases.
The study showed that an additional metabolite, kynurenic acid, can counter the effects of the toxic substances.
Researcher Professor Flaviano Giorgini said he was "excited" by the results.
He said: “Our research is focused on better understanding the mechanisms that contribute to onset and progression of disease symptoms in neurodegenerative disorders. These are diseases in which specific populations of nerve cells within the brain die, leading to severe problems in movement and cognitive deficits in patients.
“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.”
He explained: "We find that if we inhibit either TDO or KMO in Huntington’s flies we reduce loss of neurons. In Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s flies we see extension of the shortened lifespan exhibited by these flies, and we also reverse the defects they have in movement.
"We have even used a drug-like chemical to inhibit TDO and found that this also alleviates ‘symptoms’.”
Fellow researcher Dr Carlo Breda said: “There is considerable interest in developing drugs that ‘turn down’ these enzymes, so our hope is that our work could lead to drugs to treat these devastating disorders in the future. Neurodegenerative disorders are devastating diseases with limited treatment options.
"The major risk factor for these diseases is aging – and as our society is becoming longer lived, we are facing dramatic increases in the number of individuals suffering from these disorders.”
Claire Bale, of Parkinson’s UK, added: “This research which focuses on protecting brain cells, such as those lost in Parkinson’s, by targeting proteins in the kynurenine pathway, could provide a turning point in the fight against this condition – which currently has no cure.
“There is a lot of potential in harnessing the power of protective proteins to prevent brain cell loss, and Parkinson’s UK is exploring this by investing in a clinical trial of GDNF, a protein which may also support the survival of brain cells."
PNAS 25 April 2016
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