Back to Neurology Articles
Saturday 22nd July, 2006
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Scientists in Melbourne have found a
protein in the brain that can save neurons from
dying after incidents such as stroke.
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Scientists at Melbourne's Howard Florey Institute have found
a protein in the brain that can save neurons from dying after
experiencing traumatic brain injury from incidents such as
stroke, car accidents and falls.
The team, led by Professor Seong-Seng Tan, has discovered
that this naturally occurring protein, called BP5, is produced
more than usual in brain cells after they have experienced
traumatic injury.
Prof Tan said that because this protein is "over-expressed",
it can prevent the neuron's cells from dying, thus reducing
brain damage.
"BP5's pattern of expression indicates that it allows neurons
to survive in a stressed environment," Professor Tan said.
"We have tested this hypothesis in mice by expressing BP5 in
stressed neurons and this proof-of-principle experiment showed
that BP5 can prevent neurons from undergoing cell death.
"BP5 works by using the cell's waste disposal system to flush
away toxic and damaged proteins produced after injury, which
appears to tip the balance towards nerve cell survival, instead
of death," he said.
Professor Tan is the first to show that this mechanism can be
fruitfully manipulated to prevent brain cells from dying. For
this reason, his work has been published by the Journal of
Neuroscience, the peak body journal of the American Society for
Neuroscience.
"Now our challenge is to understand how BP5 performs it
neuron-saving function and develop drugs that can do the same
thing," Professor Tan said.
"Ultimately, we want to deliver the drug to patients
suffering brain injury from stroke or trauma so save as many
neurons as possible.
"Such a drug would limit damage to the brain after the
injury, as well as the subsequent few days when injured nerves
release 'suicide factors' that cause surrounding, healthy
neurons to die en masse.
"This treatment to prevent brain damage has wide application and
could be given to car accident and assault victims, people
undergoing radiotherapy for brain tumors, premature babies that
need to be induced, and stroke patients.
"While we still have a long way to go before such a drug will
be available, this research is a promising step forward in the
development of an effective treatment for traumatic brain
injury," Professor Tan said.
Sources
Howard Florey Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
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