Advancing Alzheimer's Therapeutics: Exploring the Impact of Physical Exercise in Animal Models and Patients

Wild-Type DCTN1 Suppresses the Aggregation of DCTN1 Mutants Associated with Perry Disease

Perry disease, a rare autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by parkinsonism, depression or apathy, unexpected weight loss, and central hypoventilation. Genetic analyses have revealed a strong association between point mutations in the dynactin I gene (DCTN1) coding p150glued and Perry disease. Although previous reports have suggested a critical role of p150glued aggregation in Perry disease pathology, whether and how p150glued mutations affect protein aggregation is not fully understood. In this study, we comprehensively investigated the intracellular distribution of the p150glued mutants in HEK293T cells. We further assessed the effect of co-overexpression of the wild-type p150glued protein with mutants on the formation of mutant aggregates. Notably, overexpression of p150glued mutants identified in healthy controls, which is also associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, showed a thread-like cytoplasmic distribution, similar to the wild-type p150glued. In contrast, p150glued mutants in Perry disease and motor neuron disease caused aggregation. In addition, the co-overexpression of the wild-type protein with p150glued mutants in Perry disease suppressed aggregate formation. In contrast, the p150glued aggregation of motor neuron disease mutants was less affected by the wild-type p150glued. Further investigation of the mechanism of aggregate formation, contents of the aggregates, and biological mechanisms of Perry disease could help develop novel therapeutics.

Harnessing Passive Pulsatile Shear Stress for Alzheimer's Disease Prevention and Intervention

 Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects more than 40 million people worldwide and is the leading cause of dementia. This disease is a challenge for both patients and caregivers and puts a significant strain on the global healthcare system. To address this issue, the Lancet Commission recommends focusing on reducing modifiable lifestyle risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and physical inactivity. Passive pulsatile shear stress (PPSS) interventions, which use devices like whole-body periodic acceleration, periodic acceleration along the Z-axis (pGz), and the Jogging Device, have shown significant systemic and cellular effects in preclinical and clinical models which address these modifiable risks factors. Based on this, we propose that PPSS could be a potential non-pharmacological and non-invasive preventive or therapeutic strategy for AD. We perform a comprehensive review of the biological basis based on all publications of PPSS using these devices and demonstrate their effects on the various aspects of AD. We draw from this comprehensive analysis to support our hypothesis. We then delve into the possible application of PPSS as an innovative intervention. We discuss how PPSS holds promise in ameliorating hypertension and diabetes while mitigating physical inactivity, potentially offering a holistic approach to AD prevention and management.