The cause of dementia, a nanocomposite that inhibits the formation of amyloid plaques
Verification of inhibitory efficacy through dementia animal model experiment
A domestic research team is expected to develop a nanocomposite that can treat dementia and use it for a new type of dementia treatment.
The Korea Basic Science Institute (KBSI) announced on the 6th that it has proven its inhibitory efficacy through animal model experiments with nanocomposites that control time by targeting treatment locations with light.
The research team of Dr. Hyun-Oh Kang of the Materials Analysis Research Department of KBSI and the research team of Professor Chan-Bum Park of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at KAIST have jointly developed a nanocomposite that inhibits the formation of amyloid plaques, which are known to cause dementia.
According to the research team, amyloid plaques are clusters of proteins found in the brains of Alzheimer’s dementia patients, and are formed by the aggregation of thread-shaped beta amyloid proteins.
As these amyloid plaques continue to accumulate in the brain, neurotoxicity is caused, and the signaling system of cranial nerve cells is destroyed, leading to dementia. The nanocomposite developed by the research team is activated when receiving red light and light at a specific location for the required time. It is said that exposure to light can inhibit amyloid plaque formation.
The joint research team conducted an experiment with an animal model of dementia that has the main dementia gene at the same time. After injecting a nanocomposite solution into one side of the brain of a living mouse, a red light with a wavelength of 617 nm high enough to reach deep inside the brain Irradiated for 2 hours.
(b) It was proved through animal model experiments that the amyloid plaques were effectively reduced when irradiated with light after injection of the nanocomposite. /Image = KBSI
As a result, the nanocomposite activated by light generates free radicals, breaking down amyloid plaques and inhibiting reaggregation and new formation of amyloid plaques, the team explained.
This nanocomposite has a size of less than 5nm (nanometers) and is a form of binding nucleic acid strands to a ball-shaped nucleus. The nucleus of the nanocomposite is composed of carbon, which is also called carbon dot, and has low toxicity to the human body. Nucleic acid strands called aptamers attached to the nucleus are strongly attached to the beta amyloid protein.
Dr. Hyun-Oh Kang of KBSI said, “The key is whether the therapeutic agent can pass the cerebral vascular barrier that protects the brain nerve cells from foreign substances.” It will lead to a new nanocomposite that can treat sexual dementia.”
The research team revealed that it is easy to develop and apply dementia treatments in the future because it has been confirmed that it is effective even in the complex neurophysiological environment of the living mouse brain.
The results of this study were recently published in ACS Nano, an international journal in the field of nano, under the thesis’Photomodulating Carbon Dots for Spatiotemporal Suppression of Alzheimer’s β-Amyloid Aggregation’.
In addition, KAIST Professor Park Chan-beom’s research team conducted a study on the synthesis and characterization of nanocomposites, while KBSI Dr. Hyun-Oh Kang’s research team conducted a study on the efficacy of nanocomposites through dementia animal models.
“Korea, which has entered the aging society very quickly, needs a national response to aging-related diseases.” “Last year, we completed the KBSI aging research facility, including the aging animal breeding facility, and launched a biodisaster analysis technology development project. “We will continue to carry out follow-up research related to aging.”
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