New study UCBM together with the IRCCS Santa Lucia
in the brain, the death of neurons in the ventral tegmental area, responsible for the production of dopamine necessary to support functions that are progressively deteriorated in patients with Alzheimer's disease, it occurs due to an excessive accumulation of calciumo, due to the functional loss of mitochondria. A study ofUniversità Campus Bio-Medico di Roma and the IRCCS Santa Lucia of Rome discovered a molecular mechanism by which a specific area of the brain protects itself from this calcium buildup.
Published in the authoritative scientific journal Molecular neurodegeneration, the study is the main result obtained by the team of teacher. Marcello D'Amelio, Professor of Human Physiology UCBM and Head of the Molecular Neuroscience laboratory of the Santa Lucia IRCCS Foundation. The study is funded by Fondazione Roma and Alzheimer's Association USA for Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma and Ministry of Health for IRCCS Fondazione S.Lucia.
"The ventral tegmental area (VTA) - explains the prof. D'Amelio - it has just 400-500 thousand neurons, a very small number compared to the 100 billion neurons that make up the entire brain. Within this population we have detected the molecular mechanisms through which dopaminergic neurons, ie dopamine producers, escape neuronal death, at least in the early stages of the disease. The escape from neuronal death passes through an increased expression of a cellular factor, calbindin, which is able to neutralize the calcium toxicity that accumulates in suffering dopaminergic neurons".
The study, in which researchers from the Marche Polytechnic University, the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart of Rome and the University of Rome "Tor Vergata" also collaborated, represent a further evolution of the line of research with which, since 2017, Professor D'Amelio has identified the tegmental area as one of the first brain areas to undergo degeneration in the course of disease. The accumulation of calcium, mainly due to the progressive functional deterioration of the mitochondria (the energy plants of the cell) is the cause of the death of neurons in the tegmental area. However, some neurons in this same region are able, at least during the first phase of the disease, to compensate for the damage caused by calcium accumulation through the increase in the expression of calbindin, a protein known for its ability to bind calcium.
"The identification of this form of response to neuronal injury - concludes Professor D'Amelio - adds valuable details on how the disease develops and, at the same time, offers further research insights into the prevention and treatment of the disease".
Alzheimer's disease is the first cause of dementia in the Italian population: More than 600.000 people live with this disease which affects the lives of the approximately 3 million family members and caregivers who care for patients. Although there is currently no cure, neuroscience has been addressing this pathology for decades and research has led to ever earlier and more accurate diagnoses which can give the neurologist the opportunity to propose solutions to the patient to slow down the course of the disease.
