A major advance in research on neurodegenerative diseases. Scientists have established a direct link between the dysfunction of mitochondria – tiny structures housed our cells at the heart – and the cognitive symptoms observed in these pathologies. This opens the way to new therapeutic perspectives.
The mitochondria are small organelles present in our cells which produce the energy essential for their proper functioning. The brain, a particularly energy -greed organ, depends strongly on these cellular “electric power plants”. Without sufficient energy production, neurons cannot effectively communicate with each other.
“Neurons need the energy produced by mitochondria to function properlyexplains the INSERM in a statement published this Monday, August 11. Faced with a defect in the activity of mitochondria, they will not have the energy necessary to perform their functions. “
A fundamental discovery
So far, scientists have observed a lack of mitochondrial activity in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, but a fundamental question remained unanswered: is this dysfunction a cause or a consequence of neural degeneration?
Researchers from Inserm and the University of Bordeaux, in collaboration with the University of Moncton in Canada, have just provided a decisive response element. They have developed an unprecedented tool to stimulate the activity of mitochondria in an ad hoc basis.
The team created an artificial receiver called “Mitodredd-GS”, capable of activating certain proteins (called G proteins) directly in mitochondria. These proteins play a key role in modulating brain mitochondrial activity.
The researchers tested their device on murine dementia models. The results are eloquent: stimulation of Mitodreadd-GS has not only increased mitochondrial activity, but has also significantly improved mice memory.
This discovery suggests that a lack of activity of the mitochondria could be the cause of the degeneration of neurons, and not simply a consequence of it.
“These results should be confirmed, but they allow us to know more about the important role of mitochondria for the proper functioning of our brainspecifies Étienne Hébert-Chatelain, professor at the University of Moncton, co-derect author of the study published Monday August 11 in the journal Nature Neurosciences. Ultimately, the developed tool could allow us to identify the molecular and cellular mechanisms responsible for dementia, and to facilitate the development of effective therapeutic targets.“