Controlling Zinc Levels for Improved Brain Function
As reported by medicalxpress, researchers at West Virginia University (WVU) have discovered a method to control zinc levels in specific areas of the brain. Zinc plays a crucial role in brain function, improving memory and alleviating symptoms of neurological disorders. However, delivering the right amount to the right location is essential.
Zinc: The Brain’s Volume Knob
“Zinc acts like a volume knob in many brain regions,” explained Charles Anderson, assistant professor in the Department of Neuroscience and Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute at WVU School of Medicine. Anderson led the study, which could pave the way for pharmaceutical breakthroughs targeting various diseases.
“You can turn it slightly up or down,” he added. “If we identify drugs that fine-tune this volume control, we can selectively adjust specific brain connections influenced by zinc and its receptors.”
The Role of ZIP12 in Brain Communication
Published in The Journal of Neuroscience, the study highlights the zinc transporter protein ZIP12. Researchers identified its presence in a specific brain region affecting synaptic activity, which controls how nerve cells communicate.
“This discovery is vital,” said Anderson. “It advances our understanding of synaptic zinc’s role in health and disease, as well as how molecular compounds can modify its strength.”
Zinc’s Connection to Neurological Disorders
Previous studies have shown that zinc levels and receptor sensitivity influence synaptic strength. Additionally, research links altered zinc signaling to conditions such as autism, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer’s disease.
“There are several neurological disorders associated with changes in zinc transporter proteins,” Anderson noted. “For instance, when we compare brains of individuals with schizophrenia to healthy individuals, we find an overexpression of zinc transporters in schizophrenia patients. Developing a drug to reduce this transporter’s function could potentially restore their system to a healthier balance.”
Fine-Tuning Zinc Signaling for Therapeutic Potential
Anderson has long studied how much zinc is released between neurons, its function, and its duration. “These three fundamental aspects outline how the brain can use zinc to modulate synaptic strength,” he explained.
To explore this further, Anderson and his colleagues sought tools to block and activate different parts of the zinc transporter system. They began screening molecular compounds that interfere with ZIP12.
New Compounds Show Therapeutic Promise
Philip Bender, a WVU alumnus and postdoctoral research fellow from Morristown, New York, designed and conducted experiments on brain tissue using these compounds. His goal was to measure their impact on synaptic function.
“This study’s significance lies in identifying a family of compounds with potential therapeutic applications for various disorders,” Bender stated. “These zinc transporters perform tissue-specific functions, making them key drug targets.”
Future Research: Zinc’s Role in Sensory Processing
Anderson hopes these findings will serve as a toolbox for scientists, helping them further investigate how zinc transporter proteins influence brain function.
His next studies will explore zinc’s impact on sensory processing, particularly in sound discrimination. This ability is crucial for patients with neurological conditions, making it an important therapeutic consideration.
By controlling zinc levels in the brain, WVU neuroscientists are developing new treatments for neurological disorders. Their work offers hope to millions affected by cognitive and sensory impairments.