New research: Not all synapses are equally vulnerable to degeneration
May 2025: A new study has uncovered important clues about the degeneration of nerve cells in MND.
In the brain and spinal cord, nerve cells communicate with each other through tiny connections called synapses. Research has shown that particular synapses can start to break down early in the disease, which disrupts the brain’s ability to send messages — a key factor in MND-related nerve damage.
In this study, the researchers used high-resolution microscopy to examine different types of synapses in a mouse model of sporadic (non-inherited) MND.
Interestingly the researchers found that not all synapses were equally vulnerable to the characteristic cell damage that is seen in this mouse model.
Led by Euan MacDonald Centre researcher Dr Matthew Broadhead at the University of St Andrews, in collaboration with colleagues in Copenhagen, this study lays the groundwork for future treatment avenues. By identifying the specific synapses and pathways in our brain and spinal cord that are most affected by MND, scientists now have new targets to explore for potential therapies.
The pre-print paper is published in the journal bioRxiv: Synaptopathy in the TDP43ΔNLS Mouse Model of Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Related links
Matthew Broadhead's profile (external website: University of St Andrews)
Our research theme: Understanding motor neurons
Image courtesy of Dr Matthew Broadhead