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Research studying neuron death in HD may be based on speculation that HD causes neuron death. --Jerry
14Aug02
Mutant Huntingtin Does Not Kill Brain Cells
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The Power Of Neurogenesis
"Following the discovery of neurogenesis four years ago,
the answer to the pathology of HD has been in plain sight but not grasped." |
The State of HD Research
The conquest of HD began in 1993 with the discovery of a genetic mutation directly related to the development of HD symptoms.(1) Excitement ran high. Surely this discovery would rapidly lead to a cure. Things seemed simple. The thinking was that the mutant gene made a mutant protein that eventually killed brain cells. Cell deposits were found in HD brains. Some researchers concluded that the accumulation of deposits lead to cell disfunction and cell death. Other researchers disagreed.(2) HDSA researchers then concluded that the mutant protein disabled other proteins necessary for cell survival.(3) None of this seems true.
The confounding facts are that a person with two mutant HD genes does as well as a person with one mutant HD gene.(4) The assumption of cells failing in a cumulative way, like people dying, does not fit the mathematics of how brain cells fail. Brain cells fail in proportion to the number of cells remaining.(5) Statistical studies have lead to the possibility that different mechanisms must be assigned to HD onset and HD progression. (6)
Nearly a decade after the discovery of the mutant HD gene researchers have concluded, "The exact mechanisms underlying neuronal death in Huntington's disease remain unknown." (7)
The Assumption That HD Kills Brain Cells Is Wrong
It is tempting and logical to think that HD may have something to do with brain cell death. Reduced brain volume on CT-scans would seem to be proof that HD does does kill brain cells. There is another more likely explanation. Cells in HD brains die exactly as brain cells die in healthy brains. The effect of HD is to inhibit the generation of new brain cells. HD does not disable or kill brain cells, it simply inhibits the natural replacement of brain cells. This is Jerry's conjecture, "The pathology of Huntington's disease is caused by the reversible inhibition of neurogenesis."
The Power of Neurogenesis
The amazing plasticity of the brain may depend on neurogenesis to an extent that is very much under appreciated. Learning may depend on the infusion of new neurons. Because our physical motions are mirrored in our brains, it is tempting to speculate that regeneration of muscles cells (myogenesis) is also mirrored by the regeneration of neurons (neurogenesis). No one really knows the half-life of a neuron or the rate of neuron replacement. It is known that aging and a high saturated fat diet are factors that slow down neuron replacement. It is also known that mental and physical exercise, calorie restriction, and some drugs enhance neuron replacement.
Reversing HD
Following the discovery of neurogenesis four years ago, the answer to the pathology of HD has been in plain sight but not grasped. The direct effect of the mutant gene is to inhibit neurogenesis. The magic pill for HD will simply turn on the natural replacement of brain cells. Meanwhile there is the HDL Triad. Follow Scott's example and turn on the natural replacement of your brain cells.(8)
References:
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By Jerry Lampson MSEE, © 14Aug02 No portion of this may be published without the express permission of the author.
Mutant Huntingtin Does Not Kill Cells, HDL --14Aug02
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