The experiment helped the researchers to find out the reason for the birth of people suffering from hydrocephalus - a violation of the normal development of the brain.
The journal Neuroscience presents us with the conclusions of researchers from the United States, and a brief overview was provided by the resource EurekAlert!.. The attention of scientists was directed to the mechanism of occurrence of hydrocephalus, which is a violation of the normal development of the brain. The disease leads to excess accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricular system of the brain. All this leads to the fact that the human head takes on an irregular shape.
Mice helped scientists find answers to their questions. The researchers drew attention to the nexin 27 gene, which encodes the SNX27 protein. It is responsible for the transport of various proteins in the cytoplasm or across the cell membrane. It is worth noting that a low concentration of SNX27 in the human brain can also be observed in Down syndrome. In mice, suppression of nexin 27 caused memory impairment and learning disabilities (similar to Down's syndrome).
Scientists have found that the lack of SNX27 also leads to the development of hydrocephalus in rodents. Further examinations revealed the absence of ependymal cells lining the inner surface of the cerebral ventricles. These cells ensure the normal circulation of cerebrospinal fluid. It was found that in the absence of SNX27, the brain stem produces an excess amount of Notch protein, which prevents the maturation of ependymal cells.
With timely treatment, children with hydrocephalus can live a normal life. In some cases, a violation of speech function will still be observed.
The researchers also found that the normal flow of fluid in the brain prevents the development of Alzheimer's disease, as it removes toxic molecules - beta-amyloids.
Ilya Vedmedenko