Genetic Relics: How Ancient Viral DNA Could Accelerate Neurodegeneration
Genetic Relics: How Ancient Viral DNA Could Accelerate Neurodegeneration
Researchers See Ancient Genes As Potential Targets for Dementia Treatment Genetic remnants of viruses that are naturally present in the human genome could affect the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Researchers at DZNE come to this conclusion on the basis of studies on cell cultures. They
This study uncovers that activation of endogenous retroviruses affects prion-like spreading of proteopathic seeds. It supports that endogenous retroviruses play a role in protein misfolding diseases and suggest that antiviral drugs could represent promising candidates for inhibiting protein aggregate spreading.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-40632-z (open access)
Interesting. Does this mean Alzheimer's might come from an ERV?
At least the ERVs seem to play a role in the progression of the disease.