Are stressed-out brain cells the root cause of neurodegenerative disease?

Many neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia, are characterized by the abnormal aggregation of proteins inside cells, and treatments are being developed to break them up. But new research suggests that for some diseases, the aggregates are not directly killing cells. Aggregates prevent a protein, SIFI, from switching off the cells' stress response, and the constant stress kills cells. This suggests a strategy to treat these diseases without needing to mop up protein aggregates.

Many neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia, are characterized by the abnormal aggregation of proteins inside cells, and treatments are being developed to break them up. But new research suggests that for some diseases, the aggregates are not directly killing cells. Aggregates prevent a protein, SIFI, from switching off the cells' stress response, and the constant stress kills cells. This suggests a strategy to treat these diseases without needing to mop up protein aggregates.

Read more https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/02/240213130514.htm