,IV
The St. Joe's
Experience
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Alzheimer's Progress
Israeli researchers zeroing in on
effective dementia treatments.
David Shamah
I Times of Israel
esearch by a Tel Aviv University
team may point the way to
protecting cells from the dam-
age wrought by Alzheimer's disease and
even reverse damage that the disease
caused before treatment. The method
involves a protein similar to one that
protects the brain from damage, but
which is lacking in Alzheimer's patients.
What causes Alzheimer's is still a
mystery, but the direct physical condi-
tions leading to the dementia associ-
ated with the disease are very clear to
scientists. Plaque accumulations and
tangles in neurons kill brain cells in
Alzheimer's sufferers, leading to the
degeneration of cognitive function and
the loss of memory associated with the
disease.
One of the most important objectives
of Alzheimer's research has been to fig-
ure out ways to protect brain cells from
these senile plaques and neurofibrillary
tangles. In a study published in the May
edition of the Journal of Alzheimer's
Disease, Tel Aviv University Professor
Illana Gozes describes how NAP, a
snippet of a protein essential for brain
formation, has been proven in previous
studies to protect cognitive functioning.
Loss of NAP exposes cells to physical
damage that eventually destroys them,
but applying proteins with NAP-like
properties makes them healthy again.
It's just such a protein that Gozes and
her team have discovered. The research,
she said, could eventually lead to devel-
opment of drugs to treat Alzheimer's.
Gozes holds the Lily and Avraham
Gildor Chair for the Investigation of
Growth Factors and is director of the
Adams Super Center for Brain Studies
at the Sackler Faculty of Medicine and
a member of Tel Aviv University's Sagol
School of Neuroscience.
"Several years ago we discovered that
NAP showed efficacy in Phase 2 clini-
cal trials in mild cognitive impairment
patients, a precursor to Alzheimer's,"
R
she said. "Now, we're investigating
whether there are other novel NAP-like
sequences in other proteins"
NAP, also known as davunetide, is an
eight-amino acid peptide that has been
shown to provide potent neuroprotec-
tion in several human trials. NAP is
derived from activity-dependent neuro-
protective protein (ADNP), a molecule
that is essential for brain formation.
"NAP operates through the stabiliza-
tion of microtubules — tubes within
the cell that maintain cellular shape.
They serve as 'train tracks' for move-
ment of biological material" Gozes said.
"In Alzheimer's disease, these microtu-
bules break down. The newly discov-
ered protein fragments, just like NAP
before them, work to protect microtu-
bules, thereby protecting the cell"
In the study, Gozes and her team
examined the tubulin (a subunit of
the microtubule) and the protein TAU
(tubulin-associated unit), important
for assembly and maintenance of the
microtubule. Abnormal TAU proteins
form the tangles that contribute to
Alzheimer's. The larger the tangles, the
more cognitive function is damaged.
In tests on mice suffering from
dementia-like characteristics that found
the abnormal TAU proteins, a tubulin
fragment with NAP-like sequences was
applied to cells with very promising
results, Gozes said. As NAP "evaporat-
ed," the brain cells were less protected
and deteriorated. The tubulin treat-
ment reversed the damage.
"We looked at the mouse `dementia-
afflicted brain and saw there was a
reduction in the NAP parent protein,
but upon treatment with the tubulin
fragment, the protein was restored to
normal levels" she said. In addition,
the treatment restored the size of mice
brains, which had shrunk due to the
disease.
Further tests are set to be conducted
on more animal cohorts. Eventually,
an effective treatment for Alzheimer's
and other dementia-related diseases
could come of this research, Gozes
believes.
For Exceptional Stroke Care,
Visit St. Joe's
A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of
the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called
a "brain attack" and is considered a medical
emergency. When you or a loved one has a
stroke, call 911 and get to an emergency room
immediately.
If blood flow is cut off for longer than a few
seconds, the brain cannot get blood and oxygen,
Ramesh Madhavan,
and can result in a stroke. A stroke can take two
MD, DM
forms: a clot or a bleed in the brain and if not
treated quickly, you can suffer brain damage or
death.
There is hope if you receive timely, specialized
treatment. For the best, technologically
advanced stroke treatment, come to the leader in stroke care—St. Joseph Mercy Oakland
(SJMO). As the home base of the Michigan Stroke Network (MSN), SJMO has top stroke
specialists—vascular and interventional neurologists, a neuro intensivist, neurosurgical and
neuroendovascular specialists, neuroscience nurses and other clinicians—to treat your stroke
and restore your quality of life.
St. Joe's stroke specialists use the latest treatments to resolve a stroke. In some cases, a
clot-busting drug can dissolve the stroke. In more severe cases, an interventional procedure is
performed using the latest technology, such as stent retrievers, to remove the clot and restore
blood flow to the brain.
In 2004, SJMO, a member of the Saint Joseph Mercy Health System, became Michigan's
first certified primary stroke center. This laid the foundation for the MSN, which was launched
in October 2006 by Trinity Health and SJMO. The MSN provides technologically advanced
stroke care not only at St. Joe's, but also to more than 30 partner hospitals throughout
Michigan via telemedicine, using two-way, audio-visual robotics to provide remote clinical
health care. The MSN works in partnership with the Wayne State University Physicians Group
to provide access to stroke care, ongoing clinical trials and stroke research across Michigan.
"To prevent a stroke, follow a healthy diet, reduce your sodium intake, keep your cholesterol
and blood pressure down, exercise and don't smoke," says Ramesh Madhavan, MD, DM, an
SJMO vascular neurologist and Medical Director of Telemedicine.
Dr. Madhavan also advises for protection from a stroke, know your risk factors and the signs
and symptoms of stroke. Visit www.michiganstrokenetwork.com to learn more.
Be aware of the the acronym FAST to remember the signs of a stroke:
F: Face numbness or tingling
A: Arm weakness or paralysis
S:Speech abnormality
T:Time is critical
"By knowing the signs and symptoms of a stroke, you can help save a loved one," says
Dr. Madhavan.
By Jack Weiner,
President and CEO
St. Joseph Mercy
Oakland
❑
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