Researchers at Yale looked at how the brain controls harmful increases in cellular calcium. They studied a protein called GLO1, which helps cells remove toxic byproducts. In animals with too much calcium, GLO1 levels and activity went up as a protective response.
The team used an animal model where a calcium channel, RyR2, was altered so it stayed "on" and leaked calcium. They measured GLO1 in the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus. GLO1 rose with age at first and peaked at 12 months in mice, then fell in older animals.
Older animals with lower GLO1 had worse memory in a T-shaped maze. The researchers say studying GLO1 could help develop treatments to slow neurodegeneration.
Difficult words
- protein — a molecule in cells that does many jobs
- toxic — dangerous or harmful to living cells
- byproducts — something produced as a secondary result
- channel — a passage that lets things move through
- hippocampus — a brain area important for memory
- neurodegeneration — loss of nerve cells and brain function
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Why could studying GLO1 help develop treatments to slow neurodegeneration?
- How did GLO1 levels change in older animals in the study?
- Have you seen or used a simple maze test for memory? What was it like?
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