BIOS5130_Week_11_Lecture_Part_2_Slides

Alzheimer's Disease Research - Cold Response

Overview

  • Dr. Emma Hargreaves discusses Alzheimer's disease through the lens of cold response research.

Cold Water Swimming

  • Benefits and Risks: Cold water swimming has been found to have potential neuroprotective effects. Through history it has been seen as a therapeutic agent used by galen to treat fevers. In the 50s hypothermia was used as a tool to ameliorate side effects of brain surgery an effective treatment for birth asphyxia

  • Cold Shock Proteins: Cold shock proteins can positively affect brain health by potentially slowing dementia progression.

Medical Applications of Cold Response

  • Profound Hypothermia Apparatus: Developed by Charles E. Drew to enable heart surgeries with induced hypothermia. Applications have been used after serious battlefield injuries

Hibernation and Neurodegeneration

Neuroprotective Mechanisms

  • RBM3 Protein: Involved in structural plasticity; helps with synaptic regeneration during cooling and warming processes.

  • Neurodegenerative Disease Models: Studies in hibernating mammals show cooling can prompt synaptic repair that is impaired in neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's).

  • Cooling Effects: Induces loss and later regeneration of synaptic connections, potentially protecting against neurodegeneration.

Research Findings

  • Synaptic Dysfunction: Reduction in synapses typically occurs in early neurodegeneration, with RBM3 being crucial for synaptic maintenance.

  • Mouse Models: 5XFAD (Alzheimer's model) shows a notable response to cooling regarding synapse regeneration.

Cold-Induced Protein Research

RTN3 and Cold Shock Response

  • RTN3 Protein: Identified as a key player in neuroprotection; functions downstream of RBM3 and is upregulated by cold exposure.

  • Therapeutic Hypothermia: The use of cooling as a protective mechanism, emphasizing the cold shock response in brain health.

mRNA and Translational Mechanisms

  • Codon Usage: Discussion around mRNA coding capacity and the ability to regulate protein translation efficiencies under stress conditions.

Implications for Dementia Cure Research

Cold Water as a Therapeutic Strategy

  • Regular cold water swimmers have shown increased levels of RBM3, linking behavior to potential brain protective mechanisms.

  • Research Collaboration: Involvement of various institutions such as Cambridge University in exploring cold water's effects on dementia.

Conclusion

  • Cooling, hibernation, and cold shock proteins offer promising routes to enhance understanding and potential therapies for Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative conditions.