Epilepsy drugs may help treat Alzheimer's and Parkinson's
28 Oct 2009, 1325 Hrs

Add comment          Mail          Print          Write to Editor

Washington, Oct 28 A potential new function for anti-epileptic drugs in treating neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's has been discovered by US researchers.

The study, published in BioMed Central's open access journal Molecular Neurodegeneration, found that neurons in the brain were protected after treatment with T-type calcium-channel blockers, which are commonly used to treat epilepsy.

Calcium signaling pathways play a vital role in the survival of neurons in the brain. As age increases, calcium homeostasis can be disrupted in the brain, which may lead to cognitive and functional decline. It therefore raises the possibility that chemicals able to modulate calcium homeostasis could protect neurons.

Jianxin Bao and colleagues, from Washington University, Missouri, USA, were one of the first teams to explore the possible protective effects of blockers for T-type calcium channels. The mechanisms for neuroprotection by these antiepileptic drugs were previously unknown.

Bao's team established cell culture models to directly test whether these drugs could preserve neurons in long- and short-term cultures in vitro.

They found that neurons showed an increase in viability after treatment with either L-type or T-type calcium channel inhibitors. Furthermore, neurons in the long-term and short-term cultures were protected, respectively, by L-type and T-type calcium channel blockers, suggesting that more than one calcium-signaling mechanism exists to regulate long- and short-term neuron survival.

There are presently no effective medications for age-related neurodegeneration.

Bao said "Our data provides implications for the use of this family of anti-epileptic drugs in developing new treatments for neuronal injury, and for the need of further studies of the use of such drugs in age-related neurodegenerative disorders." (ANI)

Related Latest

Common pain relief drugs promote cancer growth FIFA may impose World Cup ban on French 'Hand Ball' striker Henry France's battered reputation could help Liverpool How to help teenagers grow up before they grow old New method to measure snow, soil moisture with GPS may benefit climate modelers Wenger rejects placenta treatment will help van Persie's miracle return Comets may have delivered water on Moon New discovery may lead to improved asthma drugs BJP may split if RSS takes charge (Comment) New micro-endoscope may help detect tumours early

Related Latest

NASA astronaut becomes father while in orbit on Atlantis Radical new design of electrical generator promises power revolution Shakira desperate to start a family Deep-sea census reveals treasure trove of species that have never seen sunlight Berlusconi escort claims attacks, threats after sleeping with him Now, a 'massaging' bra to give women's busts a boost! Working women nag hubbies to feel more feminine: Study Bioengineers make way for production of eco friendly plastics New hyperlens for clearer ultrasound images Robert Pattinson jealous of co-star Taylor Lautner's muscles

• NASA astronaut becomes father while in orbit on Atlantis
• Radical new design of electrical generator promises power revolution
• Shakira desperate to start a family
• Deep-sea census reveals treasure trove of species that have never seen sunlight
• Berlusconi escort claims attacks, threats after sleeping with him

• भारतीय क्रिकेट की मजबूत दीवार
• कंगारूओं के आगे ढेर, चीतों से कैसे मुकाबला करेंगें शेर
• Reducing greenhouse gases may not be enough to slow global warming
• बीकानेर महापौर चुनावः एक विश्लेषण
• Deepawali: The Festival Of Lights