Alzheimer's research
News

Glutamate shows potential for identifying change from healthy aging to Alzheimer’s

Published Date:

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A new publication from Drs. Kevin Hascup and Erin Hascup research groups at the Smith Alzheimer’s Center at SIU Medicine shows the potential for using glutamate to develop therapies for those with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

The review article, published in Frontiers in Aging, focused on how the improvement of technology and advances in minimal and noninvasive techniques make glutamate a promising lead in developing treatments. Glutamate is the most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter, a chemical that nerve cells use to send signals to other cells for creating and recalling memories.

The article noted the importance of studying glutamate as a biomarker (molecules in blood, body fluid, and tissue) in understanding the changes that occur with age and disease onset. Biomarkers can be measured to directly assess the beginnings and progression of a disease.

“Knowing how these chemicals in the brain change with healthy aging, we can begin to use advanced diagnostic methods to identify when cell signaling is abnormal,” Kevin Hascup, PhD said. “The earlier these changes are diagnosed the better chance we have to slow or stop dementia progression and improve patients’ lives.”

The goal in measuring the biomarkers is to help determine an earlier diagnosis and tighter monitoring of disease progression. The review, led by Makayla Cox of the Hascup labs, proposes looking at the central nervous system’s glutamate levels as a biomarker because of its role with mild cognitive impairment and eventually, Alzheimer’s disease.

Alzheimer’s affects more than 6.4 million Americans, including around 250,000 people in Illinois alone, according to the 2022 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health [NIA R01-AG057767 and NIA R01-AG061937], Dale and Deborah Smith Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Treatment, Kenneth Stark Endowment, and NIA R21-AG062985.

More from SIU News

Dr. Ruchika Goel to be named Endowed Chair in Hematologic Disorders August 26

Dr. Ruchika Goel will be the inaugural recipient of the O.H. Wesly Endowed Chair of Excellence in Hematologic Disorders at SIU School of Medicine. The investiture ceremony will be held at 5 p.m. August 26, in the South Auditorium, 801 N. Rutledge St.
Pregnant woman getting blood pressure checked with husband

SIU research is reshaping blood pressure care

At SIU School of Medicine, the story of hypertension research doesn’t begin in a distant lab. It begins in the clinic, often with a patient who has run out of options. A provider reviews the numbers
Dr. Tyler Fulks, first aid provider

Dr. Tyler Fulks & SIU providing emergency care at state fair

As families flock to the Illinois State Fair for deep-fried delicacies and dizzying rides, an essential team works quietly behind the scenes to ensure their safety.