End of Alzheimer's: Scientists reverse age-related memory loss in mice
Scientists from Cambridge and Leeds have made a ground-breaking discovery after successfully reversing age-related memory loss. The researchers say their discovery could lead to the development of treatments to help prevent memory loss in people as they age. Research was conducted on mice; however, the same mechanism could also be used in humans as molecules and structures in the human brain are the same as those found in rodents.
The study looked at perineuronal nets (PNNs) which are chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan-containing structures on the neuronal surface that have been implicated in the control of neuroplasticity and memory.
Age-related reduction of chondroitin 6-sulphates (C6S) leads to PNNs becoming more inhibitory.
Researchers investigated how a manipulation of the chondroitin sulphate (CS) composition of the PNNs could restore neuroplasticity and alleviate memory deficits in aged mice.
To do this, they looked at 20-month-old mice which are considered to be very old and by implementing a suite of tests it was shown the mice exhibited deficits in their memory compared to six-month old mice.
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