动物实验,细胞外基质蛋白 z-bo 2020-08-18 570

　　With age, the human brain's learning ability and memory will gradually decline. Researchers from the University of Luxembourg recently published a report saying that they used the most advanced high-throughput proteomics and statistical methods to discover the molecular mechanisms that lead to cognitive decline.

　　When people are remembering or recalling information, brain cells will undergo chemical and structural changes. In particular, the number and strength of connections between nerve cells in the brain (ie, synapses) will change. In order to understand the reasons for cognitive decline, the researchers analyzed the synaptic composition of the brain nerves of healthy laboratory mice. These experimental mice aged 20 to 100 weeks are equivalent to human beings from adolescence to retirement.

　　They found that changes in the concentration of extracellular matrix proteins have an important impact on cognitive decline. Extracellular matrix protein is a kind of network between the brain's nerve synapses. The normal concentration of extracellular matrix protein can ensure the balance between the stability and flexibility of brain nerve synapses, and this balance is essential for learning and memory.

　　Experimental results show that among the four types of extracellular matrix proteins, the concentration of one extracellular matrix protein will increase significantly with the age of the experimental mouse, while the other three remain basically stable. The researchers said that the increase in the concentration of this extracellular matrix protein due to age will make the brain nerve synapses become rigid, thereby reducing the brain's ability to accept new things, learning will be more difficult, and memory will begin to decline.

　　The researchers also analyzed the interactions between extracellular matrix proteins. They found that a healthy brain neural network can maintain the proper concentration of all extracellular matrix protein molecules to perform normal functions. However, in the aging experimental mouse brain neural network, the molecular composition of extracellular matrix protein is higher than that of younger experimental rats. More complicated and changeable. This shows that the brain neural network is losing self-control and is more susceptible to interference.

　　This discovery will help to better analyze complex neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Parkinson's disease. The researchers said that the development of new drugs that regulate the concentration of extracellular matrix proteins will bring hope to the treatment of cognitive disorders and memory loss.