Researchers at the University of Oslo are investigating whether a molecule found in fruits and vegetables could serve as a drug candidate for Alzheimer's disease. The project, funded by the Norwegian National Association for Public Health, is led by postdoctoral research fellow Shu-qin (Queena) Cao from the Department of Clinical Molecular Biology (EpiGen).
Cao has received a NOK 3 million grant to explore this innovative treatment. "I am honored to receive this grant. It not only recognizes my research ideas but also provides the time and resources necessary to explore and demonstrate the scientific potential of my work as I advance in my career as a young, female researcher," Cao says.
The research focuses on a natural molecule, termed 'αA', found in fruits and vegetables. This molecule has shown potential in animal studies and can cross the blood-brain barrier, a major challenge for drugs targeting brain disorders. "We are exploring the proteins influenced by αA and how these interactions might mitigate Alzheimer's risk. My goal is to establish the connection between αA-targeted proteins and Alzheimer's risk, and promote the next stage of drug development," Queena explains.
Norway is experiencing a rise in dementia cases, with approximately 101,000 individuals currently affected. This number is expected to double by 2050, reflecting global trends where the aging population is projected to exceed two billion by 2025. This demographic shift presents economic and healthcare challenges, including increased healthcare costs and higher incidences of chronic conditions like dementia.
Current Alzheimer's treatments offer limited symptom relief and often have side effects, highlighting the need for new therapeutic approaches. Dietary habits have been identified as a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline. Cao and her colleagues have shown an association between higher fruit and vegetable intake and a reduced risk of Alzheimer's, based on data from the Shanghai Aging Study.
Building on these findings, the next step involves examining human serum samples in Norwegian cohorts to understand how 'αA' operates within the body. The research team aims to determine the specific components in fruits and vegetables that could contribute to brain health.
Data from this research have been submitted to an international journal and are under peer review. Further investigations are planned to explore the potential of 'αA' as a drug candidate for Alzheimer's disease.
Source: UoO