Lead researcher Isaac Akefe said this breakthrough holds promise for potential treatments targeting neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
“Now for the first time, we’ve identified alterations in the brain’s fatty acid landscape when the neurons encode a memory.
“An enzyme called Phospholipase A1 (PLA1) interacts with another protein at the synapse called STXBP1 to form saturated fatty acids.”
Approximately 60 percent of the brain’s mass is comprised of fatty compounds called lipids. Fatty acids are the building blocks for phospholipids, a specific class of lipids. Therefore, understanding the role and action of these lipids can provide many insights into brain function and disease.
To further prove the interaction between PLA1 and STXBP1, the researchers examined the outcome when either of these molecules was dysfunctional.
“Human mutations in the PLA1 and the STXBP1 genes reduce free fatty acid levels and promote neurological disorders,” co-author Prof. Frederic Meunier said.
“To determine the importance of free fatty acids in memory formation, we used mouse models where the PLA1 gene is removed. We tracked the onset and progression of neurological and cognitive decline throughout their lives.
“Even before their memories became impaired, their saturated free fatty acid levels were significantly lower than control mice.”
This indicates that the PLA1 enzyme, and the fatty acids it releases, play a key role in memory acquisition.
Further, the researchers looked at a specific protein called DDHD2, which plays a key role in memory formation.
By removing this protein in mice, they observed a significant decrease in the fats associated with memory formation, leading to memory and muscle problems similar to a human condition called spastic paraplegia.
Neurodegenerative Conditions and Memory
Neurodegenerative conditions are a group of diseases that occur when neurons—the main cells in the brain—are lost or damaged.This leads to decreased brain activity and can cause various symptoms depending on which areas of the brain are affected, but they largely include problems with movement, memory decline, and cognition decline (such as confusion).
Patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease and motor neuron disease usually experience problems with muscle control, which restricts their movement and control over their body. In severe cases, this can lead to paralysis.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease, causing short-term memory loss initially and potentially affecting long-term memory as it progresses.
There are currently no treatments to combat Alzheimer’s disease, which further stresses the importance of understanding the intricacies of memory formation and consolidation.
Knowing the importance of saturated fatty acids, PLA1, and STXBP1 offers hope for patients and their families affected by neurodegenerative conditions.
