Long-Term Care Survey Alert

Researchers at Rockefeller University have discovered that blocking a protein called casein kinase 1 can in turn disrupt the regulation of enzymes responsible for creating beta-amyloid, which is the protein that causes AD, reports a university press release.

The enzyme that creates beta-amyloid also causes the cleavage of another type of protein called Notch, which is important for healthy brain cell development. Current drugs treat AD by blocking the enzymes to stop beta-amyloid production--but this also stops the cleavage of Notch, according to the release.

Scientists are now focusing on blocking the protein casein kinase 1, which regulates the enzymes responsible for beta-amyloid and Notch. By blocking casein kinase 1, beta-amyloid production decreases while Notch appears to be unaffected.

Looking forward: "Numerous efforts have been directed at the development of drugs that inhibit [the enzyme involved in beta-amyloid production], but there have been significant side effects in animal studies," said Paul Greengard, director of the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Disease Research at Rockefeller, in the release.

"Our hope is that this research might lead to drugs that don't have those problems." (Source: Older Americans Report. For subscription information, call (800) 274-6737 or e-mail custserv@bpinews.com.)