New way to diagnose neurodegenerative diseases

Scientists at the Center for Biological Cooperation Research (CIC bioGUNE) in Spain have found a new way to diagnose neurodegenerative diseases.

Neurotransmitters send signals from one cell to another in the brain.
(Photos are illustrative. Source: Internet)

The study was conducted in collaboration with scientists from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Center for Neurological Research at Cleveland's American Hospital as well as the French National Center for Scientific Research.

In mouse experiments, scientists first described the structure of a protein called Vps54. This protein has a mutation that is thought to cause degeneration of nerve cells.

To conduct this study, scientists used a variety of techniques such as X-rays and bio-information analysis to be able to describe the structure of the protein in areas where mutations occur. , then combine in vitro experiments using biophysical techniques as well as test methods using different mouse tissues and cells. The results showed that mutations produced degenerative effects on protein Vps54.

Neurological degeneration is the general term for the loss of structure or functions of nerve cells, including the death of nerve cells. Many diseases such as Parkinson, Alzheimer's and Huntington's occur as a result of neurodegeneration.