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Scientists identify genes linked to brain cell loss in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Scientists identify genes linked to brain cell loss in ALS
Genetic map of the ALS risk gene SOD1 in a sample of human brain tissue. Researchers discovered higher levels of gene expression (light green and blue) in a rare type of neuron found deep in the brain’s cortex. Credit: Eggan lab, Harvard University

In a small study, researchers have discovered how a set of genes could cause neurons to die in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The results, published in Nature Aging, provide insight into the root causes of ALS and may lead to new ways to halt disease progression.

ALS is a progressive neurological disorder that attacks , nerve cells in the brain and that control muscles, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventually death. Most cases of ALS are sporadic and occur in people without a or other clear risk factors.

By analyzing the of thousands of from postmortem brain tissue from people who had ALS and from healthy donors, researchers identified higher levels of risk genes for ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The genes were especially prominent in Betz cells, a type of motor neuron, that express the marker THY1.

In people with ALS, this was linked to disruptions in other neurons, hindering their ability to build, transport, and break down proteins. The genes—including SOD1, KIF5A, and CHCHD10—are among the most common associated with ALS/FTD.

Additional experiments showed that these changes may be connected to the toxic accumulation of the protein TDP-43, a defining feature of ALS and some cases of FTD. Therefore, higher levels of ALS risk genes in a distinct type of cell could trigger a harmful chain reaction that leads to widespread neuron loss.

Betz cell degeneration is a hallmark of ALS and is thought to occur early on when symptoms first appear. Understanding what makes these and other cells vulnerable to ALS could lead to new treatments that slow and even stop disease progression.

The team also explored how are affected by ALS. Glia are support cells that normally keep neurons healthy, but in ALS they can become dysfunctional and damage neurons, often accelerating their demise. Researchers analyzed from two kinds of glial cells and found genes related to cellular stress and inflammation. More research is needed to determine if glial cell dysfunction is a consequence or cause of neuron degeneration in ALS.

According to the researchers, the results enhance our understanding of why some neurons are more susceptible to ALS and identify potential novel therapeutic targets.

More information: Francesco Limone et al, Single-nucleus sequencing reveals enriched expression of genetic risk factors in extratelencephalic neurons sensitive to degeneration in ALS, Nature Aging (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s43587-024-00640-0

Journal information: Nature Aging
Citation: Scientists identify genes linked to brain cell loss in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (2024, June 24) retrieved 28 June 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-06-scientists-genes-linked-brain-cell.html
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