About 6.9 million people in the United States age 65 and older live with Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common cause contributing to dementia. Among them, more than 70% are age 75 and older. Of the more than 55 million people in the world with dementia, 60% to 70% are estimated to have Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is the biological process that begins with the appearance of a build-up of proteins in the form of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain.
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This causes brain cells to die over time and the brain to shrink.
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. In advanced stages, loss of brain function can cause dehydration, poor nutrition or infection. These complications can result in death. Although medicines may improve symptoms or slow the decline in thinking, programs and services can help support people with the disease and their caregivers.
However, all hope’s not lost regarding the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease yet.
Scientists have grown tiny human brains in space to research new treatments for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and spinal injuries. The low gravity environment on the International Space Station (ISS) enabled researchers to grow brain organoids in just 72 hours.
The new ‘hope’:
Although scientists have grown the tiny human brain organoids in space in just 72 hours, the same process can take months on Earth. These organoids, clusters of cells that replicate the structure and function of a human brain, allowed researchers to explore new methods of curing currently untreatable neurological diseases with remarkable speed and precision.
The promising new experiment was led by Axonis Therapeutics, a biotechnology company that developed a promising new gene therapy using viral vectors to target and treat the central nervous system (CNS). Such modified viruses are called viral vectors, and they could be particularly useful for treating Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and spinal cord injuries. This experiment could revolutionize research on these currently untreatable conditions by providing an accurate model for testing new treatments.
How does the treatment work?
Gene therapy has long been seen as a potential treatment for many neurological disorders. Axonis’ treatment involves using viral vectors to introduce a fluorescent protein gene into neurons, which would cause them to glow neon green if successfully delivered.
Initial tests of the therapy on mice showed promising results, but the next crucial step was testing in an accurate human model. That’s where the ISS came into the play.
On Earth, CNS cells grow in two-dimensional layers due to gravity, making it challenging to replicate the complex, three-dimensional structure of brain cells. In space, however, the lack of gravity allowed the cells to form three-dimensional brain organoids, creating a far more accurate representation of human brain tissue.
In August 2023, Axonis sent a cargo of frozen materials-including viral vectors, mature neurons, and astrocytes (support cells for neurons)-to the ISS. The materials were injected into a specialized culturing system known as BioCell, where they were exposed to the viral vectors.
Researchers hoped the viral vectors would insert the fluorescent protein gene into the neurons, causing them to glow if successful. In just 72 hours, the experiment yielded astounding results. The neurons formed into complex three-dimensional structures and began to glow, confirming that the gene therapy had been successfully delivered.
Shane Hegarty, co-founder and chief scientific officer of Axonis Therapeutics, stated, “We were able to both validate the gene therapy targeting ability and show that we rapidly formed 3D assembloid models of the human brain.”
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. Alzheimer’s disease is progressive, meaning it develops gradually over time. It’s also irreversible, meaning the damage it does to the brain cannot be undone. Scientists believe that a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors contribute to the cause. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but physical exercise, social activity, proper nutrition, and a calm and well-structured environment can help manage the disease. Medications can sometimes help with cognitive and behavioural symptoms.
Researchers grow brain parts to study disease
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