The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is a world-renowned research institution in La Jolla, California conducting studies on human health topics such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and aging.
In 2006, a collaborative study between researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and the Scripps Research Institute learned how aging contributes to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. A harmful protein accumulates because aging impedes two molecular cleanup mechanisms from ridding the body of these toxic species.
Andrew Dillin, Pioneer Developmental Chair and an associate professor in the Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory is continuing this research by conducting studies on worms to determine if interfering with insulin/IGF-1 signaling could generate a life-prolonging benefit. “Recently, he and his team pinpointed a protein specifically responsible for extending lifespan and youthfulness without disrupting the worm’s response to some forms of stress, development and fertility controlled by the insulin signaling pathway.”
In related research, Kim Finley, PhD, a staff scientist at the Salk Institute found a way to maintain a cellular cleanup mechanism in the brains of fruit flies as they aged, as reported in More Magazine May 2008. The result – they lived longer by 55% on average and were extremely healthy. Finley is continuing her studies to determine if the same process will work in humans. She is researching the effects of autophagy, the process by which cells remove damaged protein molecules and other “trash” that accumulates as we age. As we age, autophagy most likely slows while cellular “trash” builds, damages and then kills cells. Current indications point to the possibility of developing a drug to maintain the autophagy process in humans, which could be a major breakthrough in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other neurodegenerative disorders of the brain.
Link between diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease found
A research study lead by David R. Schubert, Ph.D., professor in the Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory and published on the Neurobiology of Aging website found a biochemical mechanism to explain recent epidemiological studies showing diabetic patients have a 30% to 65% higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and identify targets for drug development.
Learn more on The Salk Institute for Biological Studies website.
