Research from University Hospital, Department of Neurology provide new insights into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis therapy
2007 NOV 12 -- Researchers detail in 'Overexpression of mutant superoxide dismutase 1 causes a motor axonopathy in the zebrafish,' new data in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. According to a study from Belgium, "The development of small animal models is of major interest to unravel the pathogenesis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, especially because of their potential in large-scale chemical and genetic screening. We have investigated the zebrafish as a model to study amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the selective loss of motor neurons, caused by mutations in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) in a subset of patients." "Overexpression of mutant human SOD1 in zebrafish embryos induced a motor axonopathy that was specific, dose-dependent and found for all mutations studied. Moreover, using this newly established animal model for ALS, we investigated the role of a known modifier in the disease: vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Lowering VEGF induced a more severe phenotype, whereas upregulating VEGF rescued the mutant SOD1 axonopathy," wrote R. Lemmens and colleagues, University Hospital, Department of Neurology. The researchers concluded: "This novel zebrafish model underscores the potential of VEGF for the treatment of ALS and furthermore will permit large-scale genetic and chemical screening to facilitate the identification of new therapeutic targets in motor neuron disease." Lemmens and colleagues published the results of their research in Human Molecular Genetics (Overexpression of mutant superoxide dismutase 1 causes a motor axonopathy in the zebrafish. Human Molecular Genetics, 2007;16(19):2359-65). For additional information, contact R. Lemmens, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Dept. of Neurology, KU Leuven, Belgium. The publisher of the journal Human Molecular Genetics can be contacted at: Oxford University Press, Great Clarendon St., Oxford OX2 6DP, England. Keywords: Belgium, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Therapy, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Angiogenesis, Dismutase, Enzyme Research, Genetics, Mental Health, Motor Neuron Disease, Neurodegenerative, Neurodegenerative Disease, Neurology, Therapy, Treatment, VEGF, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor. This article was prepared by Pain & Central Nervous System Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsRx.com.
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