Proteins may lead to a cure for Alzheimer’s

Patient. Photo Norway Today Media
The serious disease Alzheimer’s occur because of protein deposits in the brain. Research now shows that a protein in the cells may be involved in the development of the disease.
Research at the University of Bergen and Haukeland University Hospital suggests that the protein PITRM1, found in the cell’s mitochondria may play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s, type the university on their websites.
– When the level of PITRM1 in cells decreases it causes protein deposits in the brain,  researcher Janniche Torsvik at the center Mitochondrial Medicine & neurogenetic (MMN) at Clinical Institute 1 says.
– Those with low levels of this protein got very ill, and brain scans of the patients showed major damage. We have also done experiments on mice which resulted in motor problems and we found protein deposits in the brains of the mice, she says.
Professor Laurence A. Bindoff, head of the center, said the group now wants to investigate further whether PITRM1 also may play a role in other neurodegenerative diseases.
– Our goal is that our research will help us in finding a drug to prevent or slow diseases like Alzheimer’s, he says.
Source: NTB scanpix / Norway Today