A protein FTL1, has been identified by scientists at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) as a target that could prove essential to studying brain aging and memory loss. This study has recently appeared in ScienceDaily.
When present sufficiently high, FTL1 appears to do considerable havoc in brain cells and evoking a significant memory impairment in mice. This provides access to a whole new avenue in the search for unplugging the biological underpinnings of cognitive decline.
What is impact of FTL1 on Neural Health?
The protein FTL1 would seem to damage communication links between neurons the brain cells that store and retrieve information as they grow most old within the brain and as well as very toxic accumulations of certain proteins that keep disturbing very fine networks within themselves.
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This presents symptoms similar to those with age related neurodegenerative diseases cognitive impairment and memory. Their study found that those robustly reducing or removing FTL1 would restore connections among brain cells the neurons as well as memory performance and thereby rejuvenating the mice.
Protein FTL1: Glimpse of Potential Therapies
These early studies could potentially hold out a future bright for one day developing treatments for memory loss. FTL1 levels may eventually lead to the new designs of treatments to slow down or even reverse the process of cognitive decline in people.
Given that the WHO cites as having more than 55 million people suffering from dementia globally and such findings would be significantly meaningful in that regard. Targeting proteins such as FTL1 will form the basis of developing drugs designed to protect brain health or stop the progress of neurodegenerative diseases.
What are Barriers of Protein FTL1?
According to Professor Gan, chief of research, although the findings are exciting the process of translating these findings to the clinic will take time. Several years into the current future and clinical trials are inevitable.
More research needs to be done to understand fully the role of FTL1 and its safety in humans. This was a good step forward toward treating age-associated brain disorders that brings fresh hopes for millions suffering from memory loss worldwide.
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