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(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- As we age, it becomes harder for our organs to get rid of damaged protein. This can result in a buildup of toxic materials that are often seen in diseases such as Alzheimers, Parkinsons and other neurodegenerative disorders. New research looks at a way to possibly stop this decline in organ function.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University used a mouse model to determine if they are able to remove the damaged proteins from the organ. Previous research had questioned whether the buildup of protein actually contributes to function loss or is merely associated with these losses.
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Study authors say in the mouse model they were able to prevent the decline of the liver. Their research showed the function of the liver at the same level as when the animals were much younger. These findings suggest that therapies for boosting protein clearance might help stop or at least slow down some of the declines in function that accompany old age.
Next, researchers plan to study mouse models of Alzheimers, Parkinsons and other neurodegenerative brain diseases to see if protein clearance might lead to some kind of treatment.
SOURCE: Nature Medicine, published online August 2008
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