Summary of A Promising Approach for Alzheimer’s Treatment:
Researchers have found that deep brain stimulation of newly generated neurons through adult hippocampus neurogenesis (AHN) improved cognitive and noncognitive functions in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease. Activation of a small population of these new neurons in the supra mammillary nucleus led to significant behavioral restoration and potential plaque removal. This highlights the potential for targeted therapies for Alzheimer’s and related dementia. The team’s future efforts will focus on developing potential therapeutics that mimic the beneficial effects of activating the SuM-modified new neurons.
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New Research Finds that Deep Brain Stimulation Helps Improve Cognitive and Noncognitive Functions in Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disorder that affects brain function, resulting in memory loss, confusion, and difficulty with cognitive and noncognitive functions. Researchers have recently explored several strategies to treat Alzheimer’s using therapies that help regenerate new neurons in the adult brain. A recent study published in the journal Cell Stem Cell has found that deep brain stimulation of newly formed neurons through adult hippocampus neurogenesis (AHN) can significantly improve cognitive and noncognitive functions in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease.
Enhancement of New Neurons Can Improve Memory and Mood
The study involved applying deep brain stimulation to a small population of adult-born new neurons in the hypothalamus’s suprammamillary nucleus (SuM). The SuM was identified as a site with significant functional improvement in cognitive and noncognitive functions in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers used optogenetics to stimulate the SuM and enhance AHN in Alzheimer’s mice. The study revealed that multi-level enhancement of new neurons, which includes improvement in numbers, properties, and activity, is required to enhance behavioral restoration in Alzheimer’s brains.
The researchers found that increasing the production of new neurons through deep brain stimulation helped restore cognitive and noncognitive functions in the Alzheimer’s disease models. However, improving new neurons alone was insufficient to improve memory and mood. Activation of these enhanced new neurons through chemogenetics was required. Behavioral improvement in Alzheimer’s mice was seen only when these improved new neurons were activated.
Activation of SuM-Enhanced Neurons Affects Protein Pathways that Remove Plaques
The researchers also analyzed the protein changes in the hippocampus of Alzheimer’s mice in response to the activation of SuM-modified adult-born new neurons. Several protein pathways are necessary for improved memory performance, and plaque removal related to Alzheimer’s was activated inside the cells.
Future Developments in Targeted Therapies for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia
The study’s findings suggest that deep brain stimulation of the SuM may offer a potential therapeutic option for Alzheimer’s and related dementia patients. The researchers hope to continue developing highly targeted therapies that mimic the beneficial effects of multi-level enhancement of new neurons in patients with low or no hippocampal neurogenesis.
Alzheimer’s Association and the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Funded the Study
The study was funded by several organizations, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Alzheimer’s Association, the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, the NIH- NINDS Neuroscience Center, the NIH- NICHD Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, and a UNC Pharmacology Curriculum predoctoral T32 training grant.
Conclusion
The new research’s findings offer hope that deep brain stimulation can be a promising approach to treating Alzheimer’s disease by regenerating new neurons in the adult brain. Such multi-level enhancements of new neurogenesis can potentially lead to removing plaques related to Alzheimer’s disease, leading to significant behavioral restoration in Alzheimer’s brains. Further studies are needed to understand the underlying mechanisms of deep brain stimulation and develop highly targeted therapies for Alzheimer’s and related dementia patients.
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