A protein that appears to be key in the development of Alzheimer's disease has been identified by scientists who say the discovery could provide a new drug target for dementia.
Known as GPR3, the protein is believed to play an important role in reducing the buildup of amyloid plaques in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, said the findings in Wednesday's edition of Science Translational Medicine.
Research on mice with four different varieties of dementia showed that genetically deleting GPR3 resulted in cognitive improvement and reduced signs of disease in the brain.
But since mouse models of Alzheimer's disease are not directly equivalent to the human condition, more research is needed to determine if the same process could work in people.
Researchers are encouraged by the fact that about half of all drugs currently on the market target this type of receptor, known as a G protein-coupled receptor.
Also, autopsies on the brains of people with Alzheimer's have shown that a subset of patients show high levels of GPR3, and that these levels were associated with advancement of the disease.
The study "is an example of how testing a drug target in multiple disease-relevant models can build a strong case to convince the pharmaceutical industry to launch a drug development program for Alzheimer's disease," the authors wrote.
There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, the most common type of dementia, and no drug treatment that has been shown to stop its progressions.
More than 46 million people worldwide suffer from dementia, and cases are expected to balloon to 131.5 million by 2050 due to the aging population.
AFP RELAXNEWS
Thu Oct 15 2015
![Scientists identify protein key to Alzheimer's treatment Scientists identify protein key to Alzheimer's treatment](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2015-10/71444897951_puzzlebrain.jpg)
The protein is believed to play an important role in reducing the buildup of amyloid plaques in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease
![Ibu Menteri Besar Kedah meninggal dunia Ibu Menteri Besar Kedah meninggal dunia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723690075_ibumeninggalduni.jpg)
Ibu Menteri Besar Kedah meninggal dunia
Allahyarham Meriam Ahmad menghembuskan nafas terakhir pada usia 74 tahun di Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Alor Setar.
![Skuad bola tampar pantai Pulau Pinang berlatih di Songkhla Skuad bola tampar pantai Pulau Pinang berlatih di Songkhla](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723688922_bolatamparsukma.jpg)
Skuad bola tampar pantai Pulau Pinang berlatih di Songkhla
Pasukan bola tampar pantai Pulau Pinang di Pantai Samila, Songkhla selama lima hari sebagai persediaan menggalas cabaran membawa pulang pingat pada SUKMA 2024.
![Pemandu treler maut, nahas lima kenderaan di PLUS arah utara Pemandu treler maut, nahas lima kenderaan di PLUS arah utara](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723688542_KemalanganMaut.jpg)
Pemandu treler maut, nahas lima kenderaan di PLUS arah utara
Kemalangan melibatkan lima buah kenderaan termasuk tiga buah treler, sebuah lori satu tan dan sebuah MPV Toyota Vellfire.
Niaga AWANI: Jiwa SME: Kuih tradisonal sejuk beku 'diterbangkan' ke Tanah Suci
Inovasi pembuatan makanan sejuk beku, terutama kuih muih tradisional telah berjaya membawa produk itu ke peringkat global, terutama dalam memenuhi citarasa jemaah haji dan umrah rakyat Malaysia di Tanah Suci Mekah dan Madinah.
Global Financial Shifts: What emerging economies need to know
We're looking at recent shifts in the global financial scene. Today, we'll talk about how lower inflation and possible Fed rate cuts could impact investor confidence, global stability, and important sectors like tech and real estate. We'll also see how these changes might affect emerging economies like Malaysia, a key player in global trade. Let's break down these topics to understand what they mean for the future.
![MyJPJ rekod lebih RM28 juta transaksi dalam tempoh sebulan MyJPJ rekod lebih RM28 juta transaksi dalam tempoh sebulan](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723687760_AedyFadlyRamli.jpg)
MyJPJ rekod lebih RM28 juta transaksi dalam tempoh sebulan
JPJ merekodkan kutipan lebih RM28 juta menerusi aplikasi MyJPJ bulan lepas iaitu sebulan selepas transaksi dalam talian diperkenalkan pada Jun.
Urban Redevelopment Act: A comprehensive solution or a temporary fix?
Datuk Chang Kim Loong, Secretary-General of the National House Buyers Association (HBA), will speak about tackling one of the most pressing urban issues of our time: the Urban Redevelopment Act. Is this legislation the comprehensive solution we’ve been waiting for to eradicate urban slums, or is it merely a temporary fix?
![Ringgit kekal dibuka tinggi, menjelang data KDNK suku kedua Malaysia esok Ringgit kekal dibuka tinggi, menjelang data KDNK suku kedua Malaysia esok](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/41705320699_TBringgitmalaysia.jpg)
Ringgit kekal dibuka tinggi, menjelang data KDNK suku kedua Malaysia esok
Pada 8 pagi, ringgit meningkat sedikit kepada 4.4150/4250 berbanding dolar AS daripada 4.4170/4235 ketika ditutup pada Rabu.
#AWANIRingkas 15 Ogos 2024 | 9 AM
Berikut merupakan rangkuman berita setakat 9 pagi, 15 Ogos 2024
1️⃣ TPM wakili Malaysia di EMM di Peru
2️⃣ Misteri kehilangan Nidza Afham
3️⃣ Rundingan gencatan Gaza di Qatar hari ini
#awaniringkas
1️⃣ TPM wakili Malaysia di EMM di Peru
2️⃣ Misteri kehilangan Nidza Afham
3️⃣ Rundingan gencatan Gaza di Qatar hari ini
#awaniringkas
Belia & pekerjaan: Pengangguran belia global menurun, cabaran tetap ada
Walaupun kadar pengangguran belia global menurun, kebimbangan meningkat mengenai belia NEET (tidak bekerja, belajar, atau menjalani latihan). Laporan Pertubuhan Buruh Antarabangsa (ILO) mendedahkan jurang dan cabaran besar yang terus menghantui belia, terutama di wilayah tertentu dan kalangan wanita muda. Bagaimana untuk menganalisis tren global dalam konteks keadaan tempatan bagi memastikan penemuan antarabangsa dapat disesuaikan dengan strategi nasional?