A recent study conducted by researchers at UC San Francisco sheds light on how the brain becomes disconnected after a stroke due to inflammation. While severe inflammation has long been known to be detrimental to neurons, the study reveals that even mild inflammation can lead to damage in the brain.
Rather than directly killing neurons, mild inflammation targets the neurites, which are essential arm-like projections that connect neurons and are crucial for various brain functions, such as learning and memory. The researchers identified a new degenerative pathway where inflammation causes the formation of molecular aggregates known as cofilactin rods (CARs), disrupting the neurites and leading to cognitive impairments.
The study, published in Cell Reports, highlights the potential for developing therapies to intervene in this inflammatory pathway and mitigate the damage caused by common neurological diseases like strokes and Alzheimer’s. Raymond Swanson, MD, the senior author of the study, emphasized the importance of understanding the effects of inflammation on neurites and the development of drugs that target this process.
The research involved inducing inflammation in a part of the mouse brain responsible for movement. Despite expecting neuron death, the researchers observed that only the neurites were affected, resulting in a loss of coordination in the mice. By manipulating the levels of superoxide and cofilin, the researchers were able to reduce the formation of CARs and preserve the integrity of neurites, leading to improved motor coordination in the mice.
Inflammatory responses play a significant role in various neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, and ALS. The findings from this study provide valuable insights into how inflammation impacts neurites and offer hope for the development of targeted therapies to protect these crucial neural connections.
The discovery of this new pathway offers potential avenues for early intervention and treatment of stroke patients with anti-inflammatory agents to prevent neurite damage and preserve cognitive function. By understanding the vulnerability of neurites to inflammation, researchers aim to develop strategies to combat the effects of inflammation on the brain, particularly in the context of aging and neurological diseases.
In conclusion, the study underscores the detrimental impact of inflammation on neurites in the brain and highlights the importance of targeting this inflammatory pathway to protect against cognitive decline and maintain brain function in various neurological conditions.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
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