Researchers from the Department of Biochemistry at Panjab University have shown that zebrafish can be an effective model for studying Alzheimer’s disease, a prevalent form of dementia, particularly affecting individuals aged 65 and above. Accounting for nearly two-thirds of dementia cases, Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurological disorder for which research and treatment options are of urgent priority. This breakthrough study, published in the journal Neuroscience, Experimental Neurology, offers new insights into the disease’s progression and potential treatments using zebrafish as a model organism.
Zebrafish, a widely recognized model for studying human diseases, possess physiological similarities to humans that make them valuable in research. In this study, a novel approach was taken to model sporadic Alzheimer’s disease by injecting zebrafish with streptozotocin (STZ), a chemical compound typically used to mimic diabetic conditions in animal research. This injection into the zebrafish brain effectively induced hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease, including the formation of amyloid plaques—protein aggregates commonly observed in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients—and tau protein abnormalities in the cytoskeleton. Behavioral symptoms such as anxiety and cognitive decline were also observed, mirroring the symptoms of Alzheimer’s in humans.
According to Professor Rajat Sandhir, the study is a pioneering effort by his team to model Alzheimer’s disease in zebrafish through STZ brain injections. The research demonstrates that zebrafish could provide a simpler and cost-effective alternative for Alzheimer’s research, owing to their neural similarities to humans. This approach allows for rapid testing and provides researchers with a promising platform to investigate Alzheimer’s mechanisms and screen potential treatments efficiently.
The study represents a step forward in understanding the complex link between diabetes and Alzheimer’s, a connection that has been the focus of Professor Sandhir’s lab for nearly a decade. Extensive research has indicated a strong association between diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease, with some suggesting that diabetes may accelerate the onset of Alzheimer’s. This new zebrafish model, therefore, could help identify biological pathways shared by both conditions and explore the impact of diabetes on Alzheimer’s progression.
The primary researcher, Neha Dhiman, a scholar in Professor Sandhir’s lab, has been instrumental in developing and validating this zebrafish model. The team is currently testing natural therapeutic molecules on these zebrafish to assess their potential in slowing or reversing Alzheimer’s-like symptoms. As Professor Sandhir highlighted, this innovative model has immense potential, allowing a shift in Alzheimer’s research by offering a practical tool to explore the disease’s molecular underpinnings and screen new drugs more rapidly.
This research has been conducted in collaboration with Dr. Vikas Rishi and Dr. Nitin Singhal, scientists from the National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute in Mohali. The combined efforts of Panjab University and the National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute aim to create a paradigm shift in the approach to anti-Alzheimer’s drug discovery, particularly with the model’s ability to provide insights into the disease’s mechanisms in a way that is both cost-effective and time-efficient.
The implications of this study extend beyond Alzheimer’s disease itself, as the zebrafish model may eventually be used to explore other neurodegenerative disorders with similar pathological features. This breakthrough provides a valuable addition to Alzheimer’s research methodologies and underscores the potential of zebrafish to accelerate discoveries in dementia treatment.
References:
1. Newman, Michael, et al. "Using the Zebrafish Model for Alzheimer’s Disease Research." Frontiers in Cell Developmental Biology, vol. 3, no. 90, 2014, pages 1-10. Accessed October 11, 2024. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4075077/.
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