STORY BEHIND THE SCIENCE

The story behind Neuro-Bio comes from the passion for research from Baroness Professor Susan Greenfield, each step comes together almost like a puzzle piece.

• Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) present in neuronal and non-neuronal cells without its normal substrate (acetylcholine): need not function as an enzyme!
• AChE released into cerebrospinal fluid and detectable locally from brain areas linked to neurodegeneration: this release visualised in real-time and monitored on-line in the moving animal.
• Even when its enzymatic site is irreversibly blocked, AChE still has electrophysiogical, biochemical/pharmacological, and behavioural actions.
• This novel, non-enzymatic function of AChE promotes cell growth via modulation of calcium influx.
• BUT in high doses, or for a long administration, the growth (‘trophic’) action of AChE can turn toxic.
• The key part of the AChE molecule is identified as a 14mer peptide at the AChE C-terminus, ‘T14’
  
  (a) homology to amyloid-beta
  (b) independently enhances calcium currents, which in turn.
  (c) can have a trophic-toxic, ‘excitotoxic’ action.