Scientists map brain receptorRSS Feed

Scientists have generated the first detailed map of a human neuroreceptor, which could help them treat conditions involving brain injury such as Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia.

The University of Southern California team mapped out the first high-resolution images of the Alpha 7 receptor.

This molecule functions to transmit signals between neurons, particularly in the learning and memory regions of the brain.

Authors believe scientists will now be better able to create medications which are specifically designed to interact with the receptor.

Corresponding author Lin Chen noted: "A lot of interest in this work will come from pharmaceutical companies.

"They really have no clear picture of this. They don't know how or why [their drugs] work."

This follows research published in journal Brain, Behaviour and Immunity, which reported that exercising regularly could stave off the damaging inflation in the brain in conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.

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Posted by Matthew Heap
 

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