Neurodegenerative disorders findings from UT

[Guest guest]

I know the following only speaks of adult conditions -but the same principal

should in theory apply to children with neurodegenerative disorders as well -but

the funding was from National Institute on Aging so the focus is on adult

conditions which is needed. But goodness knows if anyone has a child diagnosed

with a neurodegenerative disorder -hope is needed for them too!!!

And how does this if at all help those with mitochondrial disorders that are not

neurodegenerative?

Always search outside the box because when a study is done the only conditions

mentioned will be the one or ones that fund the study -doesn't mean it can't

help other conditions- in fact probably can.

Public release date: 11-Mar-2011

Contact: Will Sansom

sansom@...

210-567-2579

University of Texas Health Science Center at San

Finding shows potential way to protect neurons in Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, ALS

SAN ANTONIO (March 11, 2011) — Cell biologists pondering the death of neurons —

brain cells — said today that by eliminating one ingredient from the cellular

machinery, they prolonged the life of neurons stressed by a pesticide chemical.

The finding identifies a potential therapeutic target to slow changes that lead

to neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.

The researchers, from The University of Texas Health Science Center San ,

found that neurons lacking a substance called caspase-2 were better able to

withstand pesticide-induced damage to energy centers known as mitochondria.

Master switch

Caspase-2 appears to be a master switch that can trigger either cell death or

survival depending on the amount of cellular damage, the team found. Neurons

that lacked caspase-2 showed an increase in protective activities, including the

efficient breakdown of obsolete or used proteins. This process, called

autophagy, delays cell death.

" This research shows, for the first time, that in the absence of caspase-2

neurons increase autophagy to survive, " said study co-author Marisa

-Cruzan, Ph.D., investigator in the cellular and structural biology

department at the Health Science Center.

Role of energy centers

Evidence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction plays an important role in

neuronal death in conditions such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease,

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig's disease) and Huntington's

disease.

" Identifying initiators in the cell death process is important for determining

therapeutic approaches to provide the maximum protection of neurons during

neurodegenerative conditions, " said senior author Herman, Ph.D., vice

president for research and professor of cellular and structural biology at the

Health Science Center.

Young adult mice

The team studied neurons from young adult mice. This was intended to model the

early changes that take place in neurodegenerative diseases.

The research is in the March 11 issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Dr. -Cruzan, director of Dr. Herman's laboratory, came up with the idea

that caspase-2 protects cells from mitochondrial stress. Meenakshi Tiwari,

Ph.D., postdoctoral fellow, expanded upon the initial work and is first author

of the paper.

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The work was supported by the National Institute on Aging and is part of a

second National Institutes of Health MERIT award to Dr. Herman.

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About the UT Health Science Center San

The University of Texas Health Science Center at San , one of the

country's leading health sciences universities, ranks in the top 3 percent of

all institutions worldwide receiving U.S. federal funding. Research and other

sponsored program activity totaled $228 million in fiscal year 2010. The

university's schools of medicine, nursing, dentistry, health professions and

graduate biomedical sciences have produced approximately 26,000 graduates. The

$744 million operating budget supports eight campuses in San , Laredo,

Harlingen and Edinburg. For more information on the many ways " We make lives

better®, " visit www.uthscsa.edu.

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