A molecule in our body could help defend us against Alzheimer's

We're sharing this report about a new study revealing that a metabolite produced by our bodies restores brain functions that are impaired in Alzheimer's patients. This finding allows for the development of strategies to enhance this natural pathway and slow cognitive decline.

A research group led by the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore (NUS Medicine) has discovered a naturally occurring molecule that can restore key brain functions related to the memory that have been altered in Alzheimer's disease.

Published in aging cellthe research led by Brian K. Kennedy, from the Department of Biochemistry and president of the Translational Research Program on Healthy Longevity (TRP), reveals that it is calcium alpha-ketoglutarate (CaAKG), a safe and natural metabolite that is commonly studied for healthy aging.

The main objective of the study was to evaluate whether CaAKG could also improve synaptic plasticity in the Alzheimer's brain. restore the signage related to memory, protecting neurons from early degenerative changes and contributing to healthier cognitive aging.

For healthcare and medicine, this change enables the development of geroprotective strategiesThat is, treatments that focus on the biology of aging itself, rather than on the symptoms of individual diseases.

A route with fewer risks

“The research suggests that safe, natural compounds like CaAKG could one day complement existing approaches to protecting the brain and slowing memory loss,” says Kennedy, the study’s lead author. “Since AKG is already present in our bodies, targeting these pathways could offer less risk and greater accessibility. This could provide us with a powerful new strategy for delay cognitive decline and promote healthy brain aging.”

Research shows that CaAKG helps brain cells communicate better in models of Alzheimer's disease. Not only repairs weakened signals between neuronsbut it also restores associative memory, one of the first abilities lost in Alzheimer's.

Since lAKG levels naturally decrease As we age, replenishing this molecule could be a promising way to promote healthier brain aging and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.

To understand how CaAKG helps the brain, researchers measured the long-term enhancementThis is the process that allows neurons to strengthen their connections. This phenomenon is essential for learning and the formation of lasting memories, but it is severely impaired in Alzheimer's disease.

Enhancement of the 'cleaning' system

The team discovered that CaAKG restores this signal strengthening process to normal. CaAKG also enhances autophagy, the brain's built-in 'cleaning' system that removes damaged proteins and keeps neurons healthy.

According to the authors, the molecule acts through a recently identified pathway and It helps neurons to be more flexible. through the activation of L-type calcium channels and calcium-permeable AMPA receptors. Furthermore, it bypasses NMDA receptors, which are often altered by the accumulation of amyloid protein characteristic of Alzheimer's disease.

The metabolite also restores the synaptic captureThis is a key mechanism that allows the brain to link events and form associative memories. This suggests that CaAKG may support not only basic memory function but also more complex learning abilities that decline in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.

“Our goal was to determine if a compound originally explored to extend healthy lifespan could be useful for Alzheimer’s disease,” he says. Sheeja Navakkode, first author of the study and research scientist at Healthy Longevity TRP, NUS Medicine. “Understanding the cellular mechanisms by which CaAKG enhances synaptic plasticity sheds light on new ways to protect memory and slow brain aging.”

Source: SINC Agency