Against Alzheimer’s new hopes to stop the disease. Researchers from the Catholic University-Policlinico Gemelli of Rome have managed to block cognitive decline and brain damage in animals with the disease, by administering them a nasal spray based on an experimental drug that ‘turns off’ an enzyme (S-acyltransferase or zDHHC) in the brain. It is the result of a study published in the journal Pnas by the group of Claudio Grassi and Salvatore Fusco, in collaboration with the University of Catania.
It also emerged that the zDHHC enzyme is in excess in the brains of people who died with Alzheimer’s; furthermore, the higher the concentration of zDHHC in the brain, the worse the cognitive picture of the patient was during life. Thanks to funding from the Ministry of Health amounting to 890,000 euros as part of the Pnrr 2023 tender, experts will experiment with new treatments aimed at the enzyme. At the basis of the development of Alzheimer’s disease there are alterations to some proteins, including beta amyloid, which aggregates and accumulates in the brain.
The formation of toxic clusters of beta-amyloid is favored by a biochemical modification, the addition of a particular fat which is literally attached by zDHHC to various molecules, with a reaction called ‘S-palmitoylation’. “In this work we have shown that in the brain, during the early stages of the disease, there is an increase in the enzyme zDHHC7 and the altered S-palmitoylation leads to the accumulation of beta-amyloid protein”, explain the experts.
“Our data demonstrate that in the post-mortem brains of patients there are high levels of zDHHC7 and S-palmitoylation”, adds first author Francesca Natale: patients with low levels of S-palmitoylation scored better on the scale of cognitive assessment in clinical use. Furthermore, by turning off the zDHHC enzymes in Alzheimer’s mice with a nasal spray based on ‘2-bromopalmitate’, the researchers stopped the neurodegeneration and typical symptoms of the disease; the spray reduces the accumulation of beta-amyloid and extends the life of animals.
“To date, there are no drugs available capable of selectively blocking the zDHHC7 enzyme; 2-bromopalmitate is not sufficiently precise – underlines Grassi – but we will test new therapeutic approaches that can easily be translated to humans”.
Alzheimer’s: The Sneaky Devil We’re Starting to Figure Out
Ah, Alzheimer’s – the ultimate party crasher. One day you’re sipping G&Ts and enjoying your golden years, and the next, you’re wandering around like a lost sheep, trying to remember what day it is. Well, good news, folks! It looks like we’re making progress in stopping this brain-zapping bugger in its tracks. Researchers at the Catholic University-Policlinico Gemelli of Rome have come up with a nasal spray that blocks cognitive decline and brain damage in animals with Alzheimer’s. Yes, you heard that right – a nasal spray! We’re basically turning Alzheimer’s into a sniffly annoyance, rather than a degenerative brain-wrecker.
So, what’s the magic formula behind this spray? Well, it’s not magic, it’s science – and some rather complex-sounding enzyme called zDHHC7 (just rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it?). These scientists have figured out that the zDHHC7 enzyme is produced in excess in the brains of people who’ve popped their clogs with Alzheimer’s. In fact, the more of this enzyme there is in the brain, the worse the symptoms. Oh, it’s a party in your brain, all right!
Now, before we all get excited, let’s get a little technical (just for a moment, promise). Alzheimer’s is triggered by the build-up of toxic clusters of beta-amyloid proteins in the brain. Think of them as unwanted dinner guests that just won’t leave – and to make matters worse, the more they overstay, the more destructive they get. The culprit behind these clusters is our old friend, zDHHC7. It likes to hang around with the beta-amyloid proteins, tagging them with fatty molecules called S-palmitoylation, making them a right proper little toxic family.
Now, here comes the cool bit: when the scientists took this enzyme away using their nasal spray, they essentially stopped Alzheimer’s from running amok in mice with the disease. And let’s clarify – we’re not just talking about your average garden-variety mice. No, we’re talking about super-powered, gene-tinkered mice specifically designed to go down with Alzheimer’s in the blink of an eye. Imagine the party games they have in these science labs… "Spot the Mouse Brain Cell Gone Haywire!" anyone?
While we still have some serious work ahead of us – the human trials and everything – we’re onto something here, folks! Let’s call it what it is – a nose-wrinkling, snot-inducing, groundbreaking victory against a disease that has been turning our brain power into gloop. All hail those clever devils in white coats – or should we say, the nasal heroes of our times?
Further Resources:
- National Health Service’s (NHS) latest information on Alzheimer’s: [visit this link]
- Catholic University-Policlinico Gemelli’s research publications on Alzheimer’s: [follow this link]
- Current clinical trials on Alzheimer’s: [check here for information]
Want to support ongoing research in Alzheimer’s disease? Why not help our scientists bring this brain-kicking battle to the surface? The Ministry of Health has dedicated 890,000 euros to their mission – what can you donate today to help?
Please share, comment and most importantly donate to fight the good fight against this merciless disease that affects us all. Every little counts in this mind-boggling battle, and by sticking together and supporting this worthy research, we just might stop Alzheimer’s in its tracks and give a whole lot of people (and mice!) a rather better outlook in life!
