Lamas – probably without red pajamas – can hold the key to the treatment of schizophrenia.
The serious brain disorder causes people to interpret reality abnormally and, according to non -profit RTI internationally aged 18 to 65 years, affects around 3.7 million US growth between the ages of 18 and 65.
But the domesticated South American woolen animal could be able to help. French researchers said this week that they had used Lama antibodies or proteins to protect the immune system to design a tiny fragment of an antibody known as “nanobodus” that will trigger a neurotransmitter in the brain that is involved in regulating neural activity.
Neurotransmitter are chemical molecules that, according to Cleveland Clinic, have news or signals from a nerve cell to the next target cell.
French researchers have used antibodies to develop possible treatment for the effects of schizophrenia. The serious brain disorder concerns millions of Americans (AFP via Getty Images)
No lamas have been damaged in the study and researchers can identify nanobodies in a petri dish. In the past, Lama antibodies have also proven to be effective in combating Covid and other “Sars-like” viruses.
When scientists from the Institute of Functional Genomics injected the molecule into the veins or muscles, it could break the blood-brain barrier and effectively reach the brain receptors. The barrier is a densely locked cell layer that defend your brain from harmful substances.
The researchers examined the effects of the nanobodies in two tests using mice and found that they corrected cognitive deficits that were observed.
There was an improvement in the cognitive function with just one shot and a longer effect over a week.
Clinical studies are now necessary to prove that their results could be a new treatment route for schizophrenia.
“Of course we don’t know in humans [yet]But with mice it is sufficient to treat most of the deficits of schizophrenia ” Newsweek..
He was a co-author of research published in the journal Nature.
PIN said that medication that has currently been given schizophrenia patients “treat the symptoms well, but less the cognitive deficits”.
Lama antibodies were previously used to combat covid. Lamas, camels and alpacas have unique immune systems (AFP via Getty Images)
The cause of the chronic state is still unknown, but the World Health Organization is assumed that an interaction between genes and a number of environmental factors could be the reason. The exact prevalence of schizophrenia is difficult to measure. Some bound cases in Canada to cannabis use.
Although schizophrenia can occur at any age, people are usually diagnosed between 16 and 30 years. The symptoms vary from person to person.
There is no healing, but it can be treated through antipsychotics, conversation therapy and self -administration strategies, according to the national alliance for mental illnesses.
The study authors hope to add this strategy to the list.
“This research confirms the potential of nanobodies as a new therapeutic strategy for action on the brain.