Key points from article :
Animal studies shown reduction signs of neurodegeneration in a number of dementia-causing diseases.
Team of researchers developed a novel therapeutic molecule called SAK3.
Designed to promote neuronal activity by increasing releases of Neurotransmitters (NT).
Acetylcholine and dopamine are two NT found to reduce in activity in neurodegenerative disease.
SAK3 improved cognitive deficits and reduced the build-up of the amyloid proteins.
Kohji Fukunaga, an author on the study says " ... rescued neurons in most protein-misfolding, neurodegenerative diseases".
Chronic administration of SAK3 significantly inhibited the accumulation of alpha-synuclein in the mice.
SAK3 prevented the progression of neurodegenerative behaviors in both motor dysfunction and cognition.
Preclinical tests indicate the therapy can also improve cognitive dysfunction.
Research by Tohoku University published in International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
