According to the researchers, the glutamate receptor antagonists could reduce or even eliminate, the phenomenon of deterioration of synapses involved in memory disorders.

Scientists at the Institute of Biology, Ecole Normale Superieure and Northwestern University (Chicago) examined, using a marking system of nano-particles, the growth of specific molecules, oligomers beta-amyloid on neurons hippocampus of the mouse.

The result, beta-amyloid oligomers accumulate at synapses to form “amyloid aggregates” which causes a “decrease in the mobility of some glutamate receptors (mGluR5), a neurotransmitter.

According to the researchers, is this phenomenon that generates the deterioration and dysfunction of synapses associated with memory impairment. Thus, scientists estimate that mGluR5 antagonists could prevent disturbances of the initial phase of the disease.

“The mGluR5 may be a better target for the treatment of Alzheimer’s than other glutamate receptors so far targeted. The mGluR5 is located further upstream in the process of synaptic toxicity. Moreover, via new pathological mechanism that we found, our results open the way for new therapeutic alternative or complementary, “says Antoine Triller, director of the Institute.