Researchers from the University of Virginia School of Medicine have found a likely explanation for why Alzheimer’s patients cannot recognize close relatives. The destruction of protective brain structures responsible for preserving social memories may be to blame. This was demonstrated in a study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia (A&D). These structures, called perineuronal nets, surround specific CA2 neurons in the hippocampus. They consist of the extracellular matrix and help nerve cells maintain contact with each other. Thanks to this, the brain is able to form and store new memories, including those associated with recognizable faces. When the nets are destroyed, it is precisely “social memory”—the ability to recognize familiar features—that is impaired, while other types of memory may remain intact. In experiments on mice, the scientists found that damage to these nets leads to the loss of the ability to distinguish familiar individuals, while memory for objects remains. The team tested whether it was possible to protect the brain with medications that prevent the destruction of the nets. After this experimental therapy, the rodents retained the ability to remember their conspecifics. According to lead researcher Harald Sontheimer, this discovery paves a new direction for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. “If we can protect these structures in the early stages, it may be possible to slow down or even stop the loss of social memory in humans,” concluded the **specialist**. The **authors** of the work emphasize that the activity is still in its early stages, and before implementing such therapy for humans, further checks are necessary.
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