Researchers at MIT identified a subset of neurons in
In the mastoid body signs of Alzheimer's diseaseappear first. To learn more about how this part of the brain works, the researchers used single-cell RNA sequencing, which can reveal genes active in different cell types in a tissue sample. They identified two main populations of neurons, one in the medial and one in the lateral mastoid.
In studies on mice, scientists showed thatAnimals with five genetic mutations associated with early-onset Alzheimer's disease exhibit increased neuronal hyperactivity in the lateral mastoid body. At the same time, activity in the medial body did not differ from healthy mice.
The researchers found that this hyperactivitymanifests very early, around two months of age (young adult equivalent), before amyloid plaques begin to develop. As the mice aged, these neurons became increasingly hyperactive and were more susceptible to neurodegeneration. Scientists have shown that they can reverse memory impairments caused by neuronal hyperactivity and neurodegeneration by treating them with a drug now used to treat epilepsy.
The data obtained indicate that thisthe area may contribute to some of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, scientists say. The results of the study will help to identify violations in the early stages. In addition, they represent a good target for the development of new drugs for this disease.
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On the cover: neurons of the mastoid body. Image: MIT