Calcineurin Inhibition at the Clinical Phase of Prion Disease Reduces Neurodegeneration, Improves Behavioral Alterations and Increases Animal Survival

Authors: Abhisek Mukherjee, Diego Morales-Scheihing, Dennisse Gonzalez-Romero, Kristi Green, Giulio Taglialatela, Claudio Soto

DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1001138

Abstract Summary

Researchers found that blocking the enzyme Calcineurin with drug FK506 extended survival and reduced neurodegeneration in prion-infected mice, even when treatment began during clinical disease. This breakthrough offers hope for treating fatal prion diseases, as the therapy worked without reducing toxic prion protein levels, suggesting a new therapeutic approach.

Why Brain? 🧠

FK506 treatment during clinical prion disease reduces neurodegeneration and extends survival in mice by inhibiting hyperactivated calcineurin, offering a potential therapeutic strategy for fatal prion disorders.

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