Scientists reverse Alzheimer's-like memory loss in fruit flies
Monday, March 29, 2010 - 22:21
in Biology & Nature
By blocking the cellular signaling activity of the protein PI3 kinase, a team of neuroscientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has prevented memory loss in fruit flies caused by brain plaques similar to those thought to cause Alzheimer's disease in humans. The study also resolves a long-standing controversy about the role of PI3 kinase, which was previously thought to have a protective function against the disease.