The neurotrophic protein could be the key to finding a cure for Huntington's disease, Dr. Moses V. Chao, professor at the New York University School of Medicine announced at the 22nd Annual Neuroscience Day on Friday.
Chao focused on the correlation between Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, a protein that supports the survival of existing neurons and the growth of new neurons in the brain, and Huntington's disease, a genetic neurodegenerative disorder that results in a loss of motor control in old age. Chao tested the correlation in mice.
"BDNF doesn't cause the disease but is a component downstream," Chao said. "If you can increase BDNF levels you can decrease the effects of the Huntington's mouse. You can rescue some of the effects including the motor effects."
Despite the correlation, BDNF is not a cure for Huntington's disease, Chao said. Researchers tried to use BDNF on sufferers of multiple sclerosis but the protein's low efficacy and painful side effects made it impractical.
"It is hard to administer large sticky proteins that don't flow very well," Chao said. "Most of the drug companies changed their emphasis of research, unfortunately, to other areas."
Chao remains optimistic, however, about the potential of BDNF.
"There is a lot to be learned," he said. "There is a lot of promise in terms of trying to understand the effects of BDNF in a model system."
Chao's speech was open to Dartmouth undergraduates, graduates and community members including educators at the high school and elementary level.
Dartmouth students and faculty members at the day-long event also participated in poster presentations at Alumni Hall, where attendees talked to the presenters about their research. Senior faculty members judged students' posters and awarded $100 and gift certificates to three winners.
Second-year Dartmouth Medical School student Chindy Nu Chai presented her research on chronic and acute pain at the event.
"I thought it would be fun to do a poster and share those results," Chai said.
Chai became interested in Neuroscience Day after she attended last year's event, she said. She decided to return this year as a participant.
"It is definitely different [being a presenter]," Chai said. "An outsider gets to talk and look around at other posters. We can't do that as much. I now have an appreciation for all the work that goes into the posters."
If given the opportunity to do more research, Chai said she will consider participating in next year's event as well.
Neuroscience Day is sponsored by Dartmouth's Center for Cognitive and Educational Neuroscience, founded in 2002. According to its website, the center's mission "is to foster collaborative and interactive research and education in the neurosciences." More than 100 faculty members from 18 different departments are currently involved with the Center.
Neuroscience Day began as a series of informal monthly dinners, where faculty members from a broad range of subject areas could discuss topics in neuroscience, according to Barbara Atherton, manager of the Center. Since then it has expanded greatly, she said.
"It really gives undergraduates a good flavor of what's happening, not just here at Dartmouth, but is representative of what's happening in neuroscience in general," Atherton said. "We are a small institution, but we have good people. We aren't competitive but collaborative and that makes success more attainable."
