Researchers have discovered an explanation for why cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs)—clusters of dilated blood vessels in the brain—can suddenly grow to cause seizures or stroke. Specifically, they found that a specific, acquired mutation in a cancer-causing gene (PIK3CA) could exacerbate existing CCMs in the brain. Furthermore, repurposing an already existing anticancer drug showed promise in mouse...
Tag: <span>brain blood vessels</span>
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Protein linked to Alzheimer’s, strokes cleared from brain blood vessels
by Washington University School of Medicine Amyloid deposits (blue) in mouse brain tissue and blood vessels are reduced after treatment with an antibody that targets the protein APOE (right), a minor component of amyloid deposits, compared to a placebo antibody (left). Amyloid deposits in the brain increase the risk of dementia and strokes. Researchers at Washington University School...