Self-repairing mechanism can help to preserve brain function in neurodegenerative diseases

Self-repairing mechanism can help to preserve brain function in neurodegenerative diseases
This image depicts Dr Gomez-Nicola (foreground) with Professor Hugh Perry. Credit: University of Southampton

New research, led by scientists at the University of Southampton, has found that neurogenesis, the self-repairing mechanism of the adult brain, can help to preserve brain function in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Prion or Parkinson's.

The progressive degeneration and death of the , occurring in many , is often seen as an unstoppable and irrevocable process. However, the brain has some self-repairing potential that accounts for the renewal of certain neuronal populations living in the , a simple cortical region that is part of the larger functional brain system controlling learning and memory, the hippocampus. This process is known as .

While increased neurogenesis has been reported in in the past, its significance is unclear. Now a research team, led by Dr Diego Gomez-Nicola from the Centre for Biological Sciences at the University of Southampton, has detected increased neurogenesis in the that partially counteracts .

Using a model of prion disease from mice, the research identified the time-course of the generation of these newborn neurons and how they integrate into the brain circuitry. While this self-repairing mechanism is effective in maintaining some neuronal functions at early and mid-stages of the disease, it fails at more advanced phases. This highlights a temporal window for potential therapeutic intervention, in order to preserve the beneficial effects of enhanced neurogenesis.

Dr Gomez-Nicola says: "This study highlights the latent potential of the to orchestrate a self-repairing response. The continuation of this line of research is opening new avenues to identify what specific signals are used to promote this increased neurogenic response, with views focused in targeting as a therapeutic approach to promote the regeneration of lost neurons."

The study, which is published in the journal Brain, also involves Professor Hugh Perry and Dr Mariana Vargas-Caballero from the University of Southampton, as well as the Universities of Hamburg and Valencia. It is funded by the European Union Seventh Framework Programme and the Medical Research Council (MRC).

Journal information: Brain
Citation: Self-repairing mechanism can help to preserve brain function in neurodegenerative diseases (2014, June 18) retrieved 28 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-06-self-repairing-mechanism-brain-function-neurodegenerative.html
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