News Archive
Alzheimer's disease begins with damaged cell respiration
6 November 2009
A collaboration of scientists in Frankfurt, Switzerland and Australia was able to verify that mitochondria, the power stations of the cell, play a key role in Alzheimer disease. Plaques and fibrils are the result of a disturbed metabolism in the brain: Either the proteins or their fragments are not properly processed anymore or they are produced in excessive amounts. The researchers could confirm in vivo the involvement of particular mutations: By studying mice carrying three known mutated genes the international research team could prove that as a result of these mutations specific defects appear in the energy metabolism of the brain.
For further information:
Contact: Ulrich Brandt, Molecular Bioenergetics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Medical School, brandt@zbc.kgu.de