U.S. scientists say they've found glia — tissue surrounding neurons in the central nervous system — contributes to some neurodegeneration.
University of Washington researchers say their discovery involves the progressive disease spinocerebellar ataxia type 7, or SCA7, in which a mutation glia express interferes with the transport of a neurotransmitter.
That, said Albert La Spada and colleagues, suggests the death of neurons may not result from their self-programmed "suicide" — a finding important in treating SCA7 and other disorders.
The authors, using a mouse model, discovered reduced transport of glutamate into glial cells contributes to the degeneration of Purkinje neurons, as glutamate is known to be neurotoxic in large quantities. They speculate that may be the process by which glial cells cause neuronal death in other neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer disease, Huntington disease and prion disease, in which glia are implicated.
The study is detailed in the October issue of the journal Nature Neuroscience.
Source: United Press International
