Alzheimer-associated neuronal thread protein, AD7c-NTP, can accumulate in the brain and cause the death of brain cells. However, the mechanisms by which AD7c-NTP promotes neuronal death are not known.
In general, changes in intracellular signaling can inhibit survival mechanisms or activate normal cell-death processes. A number of growth factors, such as insulin, insulin-like growth factor, type 1 (IGF-1), nerve growth factor (NGF), and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) play a role in keeping neurons alive.
By using cell cultures in which AD7c-NTP is overproduced and treating these cells with different growth factors, the authors found that AD7c-NTP interferes with the survival mechanisms mediated by insulin or insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1).
Writing in the article, Suzanne M. de la Monte, M.D., M.P.H., states, "Altogether, the results suggest that AD7c-NTP over-expression produces a state of relative insulin resistance in that insulin-stimulated survival and neuritic growth mechanisms are impaired. From the standpoint of therapeutic intervention, it may prove beneficial to restore insulin signaling mechanisms in neuronal cells that over-express AD7c-NTP by treatment with insulin sensitizer drugs."
The article is "Alzheimer-Associated Neuronal Thread Protein Mediated Cell Death is Linked to Impaired Insulin Signaling" by Suzanne M. de la Monte, M.D., M.P.H. and Jack R. Wands, M.D. It appears in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, Vol. 6, Number 3 published by IOS Press.
About the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease
The Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (www.j-alz.com) is an international multidisciplinary journal to facilitate progress in understanding the etiology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, genetics, behavior, treatment and psychology of Alzheimer's disease. The journal publishes research reports, reviews, short communications, book reviews, and letters-to-the-editor. The journal is dedicated to providing an open forum for original research that will expedite our fundamental understanding of Alzheimer's disease.
About IOS Press
Commencing its publishing activities in 1987, IOS Press (www.iospress.com) is a rapidly expanding scientific, technical, medical and professional publishing house focusing on a broad range of subject areas. Headquartered in Amsterdam, IOS Press publishes approximately 100 new books per annum and 70 international journals, covering topics ranging from computer science and mathematics to medicine and the natural sciences. Electronic access to all journals is now available. IOS Press also maintains offices in the Washington, DC area and Berlin and a co-publishing relationship with Ohmsha, Ltd (Tokyo).