Protein in Brain Responsible for Alzheimer's-Related Memory Loss: Study

A recent study by researchers from the Cleveland Clinic reveals how a specific brain protein plays a critical role in memory loss typically seen in Alzheimer's patients.

The protein, called Neurollgin-1 (NLGN1), is known from previous studies to be involved in memory formation. However, the study notes that this is the first instance in which it has been directly linked to amyloid-associated memory loss.

Alzheimer's disease results from the accumulation of amyloid beta proteins found in the brain that induce inflammation and cause cognitive impairment. The study notes that the result of this inflammation often leads to certain gene modifications that interrupt the functioning of synapses found in the brain.

For the study, researchers looked at animal models to discover the workings of the neuroinflammatiory process. They found that the epigenetic modification of NLGN1 disrupts synapse in the brain that are responsible for developing and maintaining memories. The destruction of this network can result in a certain type of memory loss that's typically seen in Alzheimer's patients.

"Alzheimer's is a challenging disease that researchers have been approaching from all angles," said Mohamed Naguib, M.D., the Cleveland Clinic physician who lead the study, via a press release. "This discovery could provide us with a new approach for preventing and treating Alzheimer's disease."

Alzheimer's disease is an irreversible, fatal brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. About 5 million people in the United States have Alzheimer's disease. With the aging of the population, and without successful treatment, there will be 16 million Americans and 106 million people worldwide with Alzheimer's by 2050, according to the 2011 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report from the Alzheimer's Association. 

Researchers continue to look at different prevention and possible treatment methods in order to help solve the problem. 

More information regarding the study can be found via the journal Nature Neuroscience.