Neurons that form part of a memory circuit are among the first brain cells to show signs of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease. MIT researchers identified a subset of neurons in the mammillary body that are susceptible to neurodegeneration and hyperactivity in Alzheimer's disease. Treating
A study conducted by MIT researchers has discovered that a subset of neurons within the mammillary body, specifically in the lateral mammillary body, are most susceptible to neurodegeneration and hyperactivity in Alzheimer’s disease. These neurons, which are part of the memory circuit, show signs of damage that lead to memory impairments.
One of the first brain regions to show neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease is a part of the hypothalamus called the mammillary body. In a new study, MIT researchers have identified a subset of neurons within this body that are most susceptible to neurodegeneration and hyperactivity. They also found that this damage leads to memory impairments.
In a study of mice, the researchers showed that they could reverse memory impairments caused by hyperactivity and neurodegeneration in mammillary body neurons by treating them with a drug that is now used to treat epilepsy. Based on those differences, the researchers wondered if the lateral neurons might be more susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease. To explore that question, they studied a mouse model with five genetic mutations linked to early-onset Alzheimer’s in humans. The researchers found that these mice showed much more hyperactivity in lateral mammillary body neurons than healthy mice. However, the medial mammillary body neurons in healthy mice and the Alzheimer’s model did not show any such differences.
The Alzheimer’s mouse model showed impairments in forming new memories, but when the researchers treated the mice with a drug that reduces neuronal hyperactivity, their performance on memory tasks was significantly improved. This drug, known as levetiracetam, is used to treat epileptic seizures and is also in clinical trials to treat epileptiform activity — hyperexcitability in the cortex, which increases the risk of seizures — in Alzheimer’s patients.
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