by Researchers at the Del Monte Institute for Neuroscience at the University of Rochester have identified a potential pathway to prevent cognitive decline after radiation exposure. The study, published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Biophysics, found that microglia, the brain’s immune cells, can trigger cognitive deficits following radiation treatment.
Cognitive deficits are a common problem among cancer survivors who undergo radiation therapy. These deficits can greatly impact a patient’s quality of life and increase the need for additional care. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms behind cognitive decline and finding ways to prevent or mitigate these symptoms is crucial.
The research team conducted experiments on mice to investigate the effects of radiation exposure on cognitive function. Interestingly, female mice showed no changes in cognitive performance, indicating a resistance to radiation-induced damage. However, male mice exhibited difficulties in remembering and performing certain tasks after radiation exposure. These cognitive impairments were associated with a loss of synapses, the connections between neurons that play a crucial role in cognitive behavior and memory.
Further investigation revealed that microglial over-reactivity was responsible for damaging synapses following radiation treatment. To prevent cognitive decline, the researchers targeted the pathway in microglia that is involved in synapse removal. By introducing mutant microglia or administering the drug Leukadherin-1, which blocks this pathway, the study team observed that the mice did not experience cognitive decline after radiation exposure.
“This could be the first step in substantially improving a patient’s quality of life and reducing the need for greater care,” said M. Kerry O’Banion, MD, Ph.D., the senior author of the study. He added, “Moving forward, we are particularly interested in understanding the signals that target synapses for removal and the fundamental signaling mechanisms that drive microglia to remove these synapses. We believe that both avenues of research offer additional targets for developing therapies to help individuals receiving brain radiotherapy.”
O’Banion also noted the potential broader implications of this research. The mechanisms involved in radiation-induced cognitive decline are connected to other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s. Therefore, the findings from this study may contribute to a better understanding of these diseases and the development of new therapeutic approaches.
In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms of cognitive decline after radiation treatment. By targeting microglia and preventing synapse damage, it may be possible to prevent or mitigate cognitive deficits in individuals undergoing brain radiotherapy. The implications of this research extend beyond cancer treatment, as it may also contribute to advancements in the field of neurodegenerative diseases.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
