Antibodies can protect synapses from beta amyloid attack

Wednesday 07 March 2012

Researchers at University College London (UCL) have found that the amyloid beta protein stimulates production of another protein called Dkk1, which is known to destroy synapses in the hippocampus. The research team also showed that they could neutralise Dkk1 with an antibody in mouse models.

Dr. Patricia Salinas, Professor of Cellular Neurobiology, said: "These novel findings raise the possibility that targeting this secreted Dkk1 protein could offer an effective treatment to protect synapses against the toxic effect of Amyloid-ß."

The abstract can be seen at http://www.jneurosci.org/content/32/10/3492.abstract?sid=85136406-7163-421e-a633-125f3be95e91