Gene protects against dementia

Scientists have demonstrated that a protein called REST can protect the brain from the effects of dementia and may someday help treat Alzheimer’s patients. They found that, in mice, REST turns off genes that promote cell death and misfolded proteins. They also discovered that the drug lithium activates REST and could lead to potential treatments for people suffering from Alzheimer’s, which currently has no effective treatment.  Read the article “Protective Gene Staves Off Dementia” in Scientific American.