The lipid membrane bilayer of cells is composed of fats including phospholipids, cholesterol, and sphingomyelin. Enzymes called sphingomyelinases can cleave sphingomyelin resulting in the liberation of ceramides which can diffuse within the cell and act as signaling molecules. In this episode I talk with Tulane University Professor Norm Haughey about research in his laboratory and others which have shown that levels of certain ceramides are increased in the brain, cerebrospinal fluid, and blood of patients with Alzheimer's disease, HIV-associated cognitive disorder, and other neurological disorders. Elevated ceramides may provide a biomarker for individuals at risk for these disorders. Dr. Haughey and his collaborators have shown that drugs that inhibit a particular sphingomyelinase can prevent degeneration of neurons and associated cognitive impairment in animal models of Alzheimer's disease and HIV.
Norm Haughey's laboratory webpage: https://haugheylab.org/
Relevant articles
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2907186/pdf/nihms-209661.pdf
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2933928/pdf/nihms200180.pdf
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3144420/pdf/nihms309072.pdf
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3414665/pdf/znl633.pdf
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7852391/pdf/aba5210.pdf
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0969996123000013?via%3Dihub
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10334757/pdf/pnas.202219543.pdf
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