Laurie McCauley Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Laurie McCauley Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
New research from the University of Michigan has opened new avenues in understanding neurodegeneration, potentially aiding in protecting patients from neurological decline. The study, published in Molecular Metabolism, explores how neurons' resilience to degradation is linked to sugar metabolism processes. Supported by several institutions including the National Institutes of Health and the U.S. National Science Foundation, the research utilized a fruit fly model.
"Metabolism is often changed in brain injury and diseases like Alzheimer’s," said Monica Dus, U-M associate professor. "Here we found that dialing down sugar metabolism breaks down neural integrity."
The study identified two proteins involved in axonal health: dual leucine zipper kinase (DLK) and SARM1. "What surprised us is that the neuroprotective response changes depending on the cell’s internal conditions," Dus noted.
While DLK activation can protect neurons initially, prolonged activation may lead to neurodegeneration. Researchers face challenges controlling DLK's dual functions. "If we want to delay the progression of a disease, we want to inhibit its negative aspect," said TJ Waller, postdoctoral research fellow.
Understanding DLK's modulation could have significant implications for treating neurodegenerative diseases and brain injuries.
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