Shafaqna Science- A research team has identified a previously unknown enzyme, SIRT2, that plays a key role in memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD).
The study, provides critical insights into how astrocytes contribute to cognitive decline by producing excessive amounts of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA.
Astrocytes, once thought to only support neurons, are now known to actively influence brain function. In Alzheimer’s disease, astrocytes become reactive, meaning they change their behavior in response to the presence of amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques, a hallmark of the disease. While astrocytes attempt to clear these plaques, this process triggers a harmful chain reaction.
While SIRT2 may not be a direct drug target due to its limited effects on neurodegeneration, this research paves the way for more precise therapeutic strategies aimed at controlling astrocytic reactivity in Alzheimer’s disease.
Source: Institute for Basic Science