A fascinating study which further emphasises the parallels between tau andsynuclein pathobiology: mutations in both genes lead to pathology, haplotypes at both genes predispose to sporadic disease, both pathologies occur 'downstream' in Alzheimer's disease, and now, both pathologies are potentiated in APP mutant mice.

View all comments by John Hardy

It would be interesting to see whether PDGF is also able to reverse the disease process if given during this window of opportunity. Kniazeva et al. (1997) have reported that PDGF is able to suppress PrP mRNA expression.

References:
Kniazeva M, Orman R, Terranova VP. Expression of PrP mRNA is regulated by a fragment of MRP8 in human fibroblasts. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1997 May 8;234(1):59-63. Abstract

View all comments by Mary Reid