The Protein Responsible For Dementia

Link to the article: http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2013/03/03/misplaced_molecules_new_insights_into_the_causes_of_dementia.html

A protein called TDP-43 helps the body function. If someone has a shortage of it, it can lead to diseases such as ALS, FTD and Dementia. Without enough of the said protein, a body's muscles will start to deteriorate and the respiratory system will suffer. About 1 in 500 people have a lack of TDP-43, including Stephen Hawking. These diseases can also cause a change in personality and thinking. While most people with one of these diseases will die several years after getting it, some can live for a long time afterwards. Sometimes these problems are caused by TDP-43 lumping together next to the nucleus of a cell, preventing it from doing what it is supposed to do.

Studies have been done on zebra-fish to research a lack of TDP-43. When the larvae of the fish had the protein taken out, they would die a few days after hatching. The blood flow of the fish would be thrown off, and their muscles would deteriorate. It is obvious that one cannot live without the protein. Dr. Haass, the chair of the Metabolic Chemistry lab at LMU, says that his team wants to research the protein more, to see if it causes some blood-flow disorders.

NOS Themes:
1. Science is collaborative. Multiple labs and doctors worked on researching this, like Dr. Haass and Dr. Schmid.
2. Science is based on evidence. Research on zebra-fish was conducted to find evidence.
4. Role of credibility. Many people working on this had PhD.s in their fields.

Austin Meyer