Q&A: The quest to halt neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease – Penn State University

Report on Neurodegenerative Disease Research and Its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Introduction

Memory lapses are common with aging, but serious cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer’s disease represent significant health challenges globally. Alzheimer’s, a neurodegenerative disease characterized by nerve cell damage and death, affects approximately 7.2 million Americans aged 65 and older, equating to one in nine individuals in this age group, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Professor Scott Selleck of Penn State University, whose family has a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s, has dedicated his career to understanding and combating neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). His work is crucial in addressing Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease

1. Definition and Symptoms: Alzheimer’s disease begins with subtle memory changes that worsen over time, leading to progressive cognitive decline and eventual death.
2. Variability: Symptoms vary among individuals, including memory loss, personality changes, and differential retention of past memories.
3. Impact: The disease imposes profound social and emotional costs beyond financial burdens, affecting families and caregivers.

Research Focus and Objectives

Professor Selleck’s research aims to:

• Identify early cellular and molecular changes that precede clinical symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases.
• Develop interventions to prevent disease onset rather than only managing late-stage symptoms.

This approach supports SDG 3 by targeting disease prevention and promoting long-term health outcomes.

Key Research Findings

1. Cellular Repair and Energy Production: Healthy cells require efficient repair mechanisms and energy generation, both of which are impaired in neurodegenerative disorders.
2. Role of Heparan Sulfate-Modified Proteins: These proteins act as co-receptors for growth factors but also inhibit cell repair processes.
3. Autophagy Dysfunction: Impaired autophagy leads to accumulation of damaged mitochondria, reducing energy production and increasing toxic by-products, contributing to disease progression.
4. Lipid Metabolism: Dysfunctional mitochondria cause lipid accumulation, a hallmark of neurodegeneration.
5. Therapeutic Potential: Partial inhibition of heparan sulfate-modified proteins has been shown to restore repair pathways and improve metabolic function in animal models, suggesting a promising avenue for treatment development.

Implications for Treatment Development

• Fundamental research in molecular biology and developmental systems across species (fruit flies, zebrafish, mice) is essential for discovering novel therapeutic targets.
• Ongoing drug discovery projects focus on human genes central to the identified repair pathways.

This research directly contributes to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure by fostering scientific innovation and development of new medical treatments.

Collaborative Research Efforts

Addressing neurodegenerative diseases requires multidisciplinary collaboration involving:

• Medicinal chemistry
• Physiology
• Molecular and cell biology
• Behavioral science

Collaborations among institutions such as Penn State, University of Georgia, University of California San Francisco, and University of Alabama enhance research quality and accelerate progress.

This collaborative approach aligns with SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, emphasizing the importance of multi-sectoral partnerships in achieving sustainable development.

Conclusion

Professor Selleck’s research exemplifies a commitment to advancing knowledge and developing interventions for neurodegenerative diseases, addressing critical health challenges associated with aging populations. By focusing on early detection and prevention, this work supports the achievement of multiple Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to health, innovation, and partnerships, ultimately contributing to improved quality of life and sustainable societal development.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article focuses on neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and ALS, which directly relate to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • The research and drug discovery efforts described in the article highlight innovation in medical science and infrastructure for health research.
3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article emphasizes collaborative research across multiple institutions and disciplines, aligning with the goal of strengthening partnerships to achieve sustainable development.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
   • Target 3.b: Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and non-communicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors, including health-related technologies.
3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize knowledge and expertise.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Prevalence and incidence rates of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases
   • The article cites statistics such as “7.2 million Americans” affected and “one in nine people over the age of 65,” which are key epidemiological indicators to track disease burden.
2. Research outputs and drug discovery progress
   • Indicators include the identification of molecular pathways, development of potential interventions, and progress in drug discovery projects targeting neurodegenerative diseases.
3. Collaborative research activities
   • Number and quality of partnerships between institutions and disciplines, reflecting progress toward SDG 17 targets.
4. Health outcomes related to neurodegenerative disease progression
   • Measures of cognitive decline, disease progression rates, and patient quality of life improvements as a result of new treatments.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: psu.edu