Deficit of metal in the guides of brain plaques in mice the direction of research on Alzheimer's rights

Tiny plaques in the brains of mice with Alzheimer's disease contain metals less than the brains of people affected, according to a study conducted at the NSLS. This surprising result could help researchers determine the effect of metal in the human disease, and long term goals means that methodsOne drug development or prevention of the characteristics of amyloid in Alzheimer diseased brain beta - (Aß) plaques of small areas of densely built proteins after they contain a protein known. Many scientists believe that these plates are involved in neurodegeneration - the destruction of brain cells, which gradually destroys the ability of a person to learn, communicate, reason to pursue, and daily activities.

In previous studies, researchers have a zinc mine, found copper and iron in amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease in humans. These metal ions are responsible for brain function and body in normal conditions, but high levels in plaques, the formation of free radicals that are toxic to catalyze the brain cells. In studies on mice that were bred to develop plaques ASS, but researchers have observed a gap.

"Although the mice developed in order to develop a feature of Alzheimer's disease, they do not show severe neurodegeneration, memory loss, or any other terrible things that people with the disease," the Alzheimer's disease, "said Stony Brook University Student Andreana Leskovjan. This difference could result in a lower concentration of the metal mouse Aß plaques are awarded.

To examine the possibility that metals could be the cause of the debilitating symptoms of the disease, Leskovjan and their research advisors worked with Lisa Miller, University of Chicago Professor Tony Lanzirotti Aß investigate the metal content of plaques in mice .

The researchers used a microscope NSLS X-ray fluorescence x26a beamline at the concentration of metals in the area of the plate and the plate does not represent tissues from mice to determine the terminal phase of illness of AD. Fourier transform infrared micro-spectroscopy beam U10B also used to normalize the data for the amount of protein in each plate. Then, concentrations of metals in relation to data already collected from human brains. Their results were surprising, but important research field of Alzheimer's, said Leskovjan. Compared to mice, the plates showed an increase of one type of metal - zinc, an increase of 29 percent - than the surrounding tissue. But the mouse is less with copper and iron (approximately 22 per cent and decrease by 17 per cent) than in surrounding tissue. Man plaque Aß comparison showed a 339 per cent of zinc, a 466 percent copper, iron and 177 percent.

Their results were in the October 1, 2009 published the journal NeuroImage.

"Even if the mouse did not come with the human consequences of this study, some very valuable information," said Leskovjan. "The deficit of metal in the mouse can actually help you reduce it to us, what happens in the brains of patients with diseases of human Alzheimer's. For example, perhaps the abundance of copper and iron, which are not present in mice could be considered the cause of neurodegeneration and humans. "

The mouse could have a limited representation of human diseases and differences in the plates on a number of factors between the two species, but this study provides a safe route to follow, "said Leskovjan.

When metals prove to be the culprit, could lead to further studies to identify targets for drug development or metal-targeted therapy to remove metals from plates above.

Now researchers, concentrations of metals in the plaques of the mouse early career Aß are to determine how the concerns of the old level