I N D U S T R Y I N V E S T I G A T I O N
GENE THERAPY BOOSTS ‘ COLD SHOCK PROTEIN ’ IN THE BRAIN WITHOUT COOLING MICE AGAINST NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASE
Researchers at the University of Cambridge and Freie Universität Berlin are exploring how gene therapy and the cold shock protein can help significantly reduce neurodegenerative diseases in humans . We hear more below .
Scientists in Cambridge and Berlin have used a form of gene therapy to increase levels of the so-called ‘ cold shock protein ’ in the brains of mice , protecting them against the potentially devastating impact of prion disease .
The discovery is a step towards harnessing the protective effects of cooling the brain to treat patients with acute brain injury and even to prevent dementias , such as Alzheimer ’ s .
When the body cools down significantly , it increases its levels of RBM3 , a molecule known as the cold shock protein – a phenomenon first observed in hibernating animals . It is thought that during hibernation , the protein helps protect the brain from damage and allows it to continue to form new connections .
In 2015 , Professor Giovanna Mallucci and colleagues showed in mice that RBM3 can protect the brain against damage associated
www . intelligenthealth . tech 39