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A new story about an old guy: is Alzheimer's disease infectious?

Helton J Reis1, Marat A Mukhamedyarov, Albert A Rizvanov

  • 1Laboratório de Neurofarmacologia, Departamento de Farmacológia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (ICB-UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Neuro-Degenerative Diseases
|May 27, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Protein aggregation and amyloid fibrils in the brain are linked to numerous diseases. This review explores their molecular similarities and novel transmissibility, suggesting a unifying hypothesis for these pathologic conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Protein aggregation and amyloid fibril deposits are hallmarks of over two dozen central nervous system (CNS) disorders.
  • These deposits involve various peptides with significant structural and functional similarities across different conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and hypothesize about the molecular similarities between different protein aggregates implicated in CNS diseases.
  • To explore novel aspects of transmissibility related to these protein aggregates.

Main Methods:

  • This study is based on a review of existing literature.
  • A hypothesis regarding the transmissibility of protein aggregates is proposed.

Main Results:

  • Identified striking structural and functional similarities among various peptides involved in CNS protein aggregation disorders.
  • Highlighted the key molecular distinction: whether peptides are endogenously produced, exogenously transmitted, or both.

Conclusions:

  • The similarities in protein aggregation and amyloid fibril formation suggest a common underlying mechanism across diverse CNS pathologies.
  • Novel insights into transmissibility may provide a unifying framework for understanding and potentially treating these conditions.

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