Research Keyword: Alzheimer's disease

Long term worsening of amyloid pathology, cerebral function, and cognition after a single inoculation of beta-amyloid seeds with Osaka mutation

Researchers found that a single exposure to mutated amyloid-beta proteins (Aβ Osaka) in the brains of genetically modified mice caused lasting damage over four months. The mutated proteins triggered more severe memory loss, brain connectivity problems, and synapse damage compared to normal amyloid-beta. This suggests that even one encounter with mutated amyloid proteins can set off a chain reaction of disease progression that persists long after initial exposure.

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Microbial links to Alzheimer’s disease

This review examines whether germs like bacteria, fungi, and viruses might play a role in causing Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists have found that certain bacteria from the mouth and gut, fungal infections, and cold sores (herpes viruses) appear more frequently in Alzheimer’s patients and may trigger the brain changes that damage memory and thinking. While the evidence is promising, researchers still need to determine whether these infections actually cause Alzheimer’s or simply make it worse once it develops.

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Optimization of Ultrasonic Extraction to Obtain Erinacine A and Polyphenols with Antioxidant Activity from the Fungal Biomass of Hericium erinaceus

Researchers developed an efficient ultrasonic extraction method to obtain beneficial compounds from the lion’s mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus), particularly a substance called erinacine A and antioxidants. The optimized process uses 80% ethanol and takes 45 minutes, producing extracts rich in antioxidants that can protect cells from damage. These extracts showed promise in protecting brain cells and could potentially help prevent or treat neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.

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The Biological Activity of Ganoderma lucidum on Neurodegenerative Diseases: The Interplay between Different Active Compounds and the Pathological Hallmarks

Reishi mushroom, used in traditional Asian medicine for centuries, contains over 400 bioactive compounds that show promise in protecting the brain from degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. The mushroom’s components work through multiple pathways to reduce inflammation, fight oxidative stress, and protect neurons from damage. While laboratory and animal studies show encouraging results, human clinical trials are needed to confirm its effectiveness as a treatment.

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Synaptic degeneration in the prefrontal cortex of a rat AD model revealed by volume electron microscopy

Researchers used advanced microscopy techniques to examine brain tissue from rats with Alzheimer’s disease and compared it to healthy rats. They found that Alzheimer’s disease causes damage to connections between brain cells (synapses) in a brain region important for thinking and memory. Specifically, the connections were weaker and smaller, and many new spine-like structures formed but didn’t properly connect to other cells, suggesting the brain may be trying unsuccessfully to compensate for the disease.

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Neuroprotective properties of anti-apoptotic BCL-2 proteins in 5xFAD mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease

Scientists studied how Bcl-2 proteins might protect the brain from Alzheimer’s disease by controlling calcium levels in nerve cells. They injected modified Bcl-2 proteins into the brains of mice engineered to develop Alzheimer’s symptoms and found that these proteins helped preserve the connections between nerve cells and reduced harmful amyloid plaque buildup. A special version of Bcl-2 that worked primarily on one type of calcium channel was surprisingly most effective at reducing amyloid plaques, suggesting this specific mechanism could be important for treating Alzheimer’s disease.

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β-secretase inhibition prevents structural spine plasticity deficits in AppNL-G-F mice

Researchers tested whether a drug that blocks BACE1 (an enzyme involved in Alzheimer’s disease) could protect nerve cell connections in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. They found that at high doses, the drug significantly improved the formation of new dendritic spines (connection points between neurons) and restored synaptic activity to near-normal levels. These findings suggest that using BACE1 inhibitors early in Alzheimer’s disease development, before widespread neuronal damage occurs, might help prevent cognitive decline.

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Primary cilia in the mature brain: emerging roles in Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis

Primary cilia are small hair-like structures on brain cells that act like sensory antennas, helping regulate memory and thinking ability. In Alzheimer’s disease, these structures become abnormally shaped and function poorly, contributing to memory loss and cognitive decline. The shape and function of primary cilia change as the brain ages and when amyloid plaques develop, suggesting they could be targeted with new treatments to slow Alzheimer’s progression.

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Natural Neuroinflammatory Modulators: Therapeutic Potential of Fungi-Derived Compounds in Selected Neurodegenerative Diseases

This comprehensive review explores how compounds found in mushrooms could help treat serious brain diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Mushrooms contain natural substances such as certain carbohydrates, proteins, and fats that can reduce harmful inflammation in the brain and protect nerve cells from damage. Scientists have tested these mushroom-derived compounds in laboratory and animal models, finding they can improve memory, movement, and overall brain function. This research suggests mushrooms could become an important part of new treatments for these currently incurable neurological conditions.

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Identification of potential neuroprotective compound from Ganoderma lucidum extract targeting microtubule affinity regulation kinase 4 involved in Alzheimer’s disease through molecular dynamics simulation and MMGBSA

Researchers used computer simulations to test five compounds from Reishi mushrooms against Alzheimer’s disease. They found that two compounds, ganoderic acid A and ganoderenic acid B, showed strong potential for blocking a harmful protein involved in the disease. These findings suggest Reishi mushrooms could be a source for new Alzheimer’s treatments, though further laboratory testing is needed.

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