A pathbreaking finding has revealed that lost memory can be returned in Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Researchers from Delhi’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and America’s University of louisville School of Medicine have for the first time established that there is a role of MMP-9 gene in decline of cognitive and hearing functions and that the ablation or removal of MMP-9 gene decreases yperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) induced cognition and hearing dysfunction.
Hyperhomocysteinemia is a medical condition which is due to abnormally large levels of homocysteine in blood which leads to vascular inflammation. HHcy has been independently described as an early risk factor for cognitive impairment. It is also known to promote cognitive dysfunction and Alzheimer’s disease through MMP-9 gene induced disruption of the blood brain barrier.
This research was carried on mice but has large implication on humans. According to Dr Seema Bhargava, lead author of the research and Senior Consultant, Department of Biochemistry, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, “In our research, for the first time, MMP-9 has been correlated directly to functional deficits of brain and cochlea , and found to have significant role.”
Currently, 45 per cent of adults between 45-92 years of age suffer from hearing impairment. Deficiency of Vitamin B-12 and folate and high homocysteine levels have also been associated with impaired hearing in women. HHcy is a common factor in the occurrence of cognitive and hearing disabilities in large section of population.
“It is, therefore, important to identify individuals at risk for HHcy (e.g. elderly population) and treat them to prevent the development of pathology. To reduce plasma homocysteine levels, adequate dietary vitamin supplements should be given. However, if HHcy is already present, vitamins will take several months to reduce plasma homocysteine concentration. In such situations, our research study has advocated the role of MMP-9 inhibitors by pharma companies as a therapeutic option,” said Bhargava.
The research was published in May 2014 in journal of Molecular Biology Reports (impact factor 2.51) and was done by researchers from Department of Biochemistry, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of louisville School of Medicine, louisville, USA.