Protein Folding and Alzheimer's

Disease

Background: Cause

a small error in the genetic blueprint leads to incomplete folding of a protein, which affects its function

Causes plaques of insoluble protein in the extracellular tissue, which cannot be broken down by enzymes

One of the main characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease is the accumulation of plaques in the brain

Background

If the protein folds wrong, these hydrophobic amino acids are exposed and they rapidly seek out and bind to hydrophobic groups on other protein molecules, forming the insoluble aggregates

Background: Treatment

Dementia, side effect mainly characterized by learning and memory loss, mood changes and communication problems

Effective drugs approved by the FDA include donepezil, galanthamine, rivastigmine and memantine, which have modest effects in modifying the symptoms of AD for a relatively short period of time But none of these therapies has any effect on

halting the progression of AD

Current Research: ACA

Preventing or Slowing Down Alzheimer’s: Long-term physical activity may improve the ability

to learn Engaging in mentally stimulating activities, such as

reading or doing crossword puzzles, Foods rich in vitamin E—vegetable oils, nuts, green

leafy vegetables and whole grains—reduce oxidative damage

Fish oil and alpha lipoic acid may affect inflammation, high cholesterol levels, and oxidative stress

A Chinese herb called huperzine A has shown some Alzheimer’s-fighting properties, as well, by improving memory in elderly people

HUP-A Research

Huperzia serrata (Thunb) Trev (Qian Ceng Ta) is mainly distributed in northeastern, southern and southwestern China

Hup A administration enhances learning and memory in intact adult rodents, aged rodents and monkeys

Most potent natural product or medicine approved by the FDA to treat AD

References

1. Wang, Y., Huang, L., Zang, H. Acta Pharmacologica Sinica (2010) 31: 649–664.

2. Schetchikova, N. Demystifying Alzheimer’s Prevention. American Chiropractics Association. http://www.acatoday.org/content_css.cfm?CID=1247

3. Pietzsch, J. Protein Folding Diseases. Nature. 2007