A major advance in understanding Alzheimer's disease

A major advance in understanding Alzheimer's disease: We introduce first a fairly large protein molecule with the horrendous name “repressor element 1 silencing transcription factor” -- thankfully abbreviated REST. I think most of us have wondered how some persons retain their mental capacities for decades after their peers have succumbed to dementia. We tended to think maybe they did not develop plaques, etc. But researchers have had a deeper version of the question: How is it that some aged persons have all the usual molecular components of AD but still retain full cognitive function? It appears that REST just may be the answer.

In young persons, REST is produced in low levels. But as we move into maturity and advanced age, the genes producing REST become more active, making REST as a protective factor for the neurons (brain cells). We have identified a number of genes that normally kill off aging cells that are losing their function (call these cell killers), and we know others that become active in the progression of AD. REST counters both these processes to protect the neurons.