Large-scale protein analysis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid reveals new associations with early changes in energy metabolism, according to research from UF Golde group of neuroscientists.
Findings revealed these early changes in energy metabolism to be associated with microglia and astrocyte activation. Because the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) “remains incomplete,” this research is crucial in neuroscience across the board. UF neuroscientists conducted the largest proteomic study thus far on AD.
“A protein network module linked to sugar metabolism emerged as one of the modules most significantly associated with AD pathology and cognitive impairment.”
This module was enriched in AD genetic risk factors and findings suggest the module’s biological function as a protective role in AD. Proteins from this module were elevated in cerebrospinal fluid in early stages of the disease.
By quantitative proteomics, scientists identify proteins and biological processes in AD brains that may serve as therapeutic targets and fluid biomarkers for the disease.
UF Department of Neuroscience
In this study…
More than 2,000 brain and nearly 400 cerebrospinal fluid samples were collected