Mark H. Tuszynski, M.D., Ph.D.
University of California at San Diego
San Diego, California

2003 T. L. L. Temple Foundation Discovery Award

One approach to Alzheimer therapy has been to search for drugs that can help protect brain cells that are under attack by a number of destructive disease processes. Much of this research has focused on proteins called growth factors, which help nourish and guide the developing nervous system, but also remain active in adult brains. One growth factor that has shown promise is brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

Working with aging rats, Mark Tuszynski, MD, PhD, and colleagues injected BDNF into a brain area critical for forming new memories called the entorhinal cortex. They were able to reverse age-related declines in brain function and learning and memory. The entorhinal cortex is one of the earliest and most severely affected regions in Alzheimer’s disease.

In the current study, Tuszynski’s team is exploring whether injecting BDNF into the entorhinal cortex of aging rats could have wider benefits. They are hopeful that, given enough time, nerve cells of the entorhinal cortex will transport the growth factor along their many nerve fibers that connect to other brain regions. The researchers predict that the BDNF will be picked up by cells in these other regions, where it will protect those areas of the brain from neurodegeneration. If this strategy proves effective, it is possible that growth factors like BDNF could be used to protect widespread brain areas in Alzheimer’s disease.