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New uses of Botox in neurological research. 

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NIH investigators employed Botox and unveiled a group of molecules that nerve cells use to send messages to each other . These molecules named SNARES, may be the missing link that researchers have been searching to better comprehend how brain cells communicate with each other.

100 billion nerve cells send messages throughout the body every day and send an incalculable number of signals using about a trillion communication gates called synapses. Cell-to-cell communication controls how we think, how we feel and other simpler tasks such as how we perform movements. This knowledge could open the door to identify new targets for the treatment of neurological disease.

Nerve cells use substances known as neurotransmitters, to send messages from cell to cell. Neurotransmitters are like molecular bullets stored in compartments inside the synapses of nerve cells called synaptic vesicles. Messages are sent when these vesicles blend with the plasma membrane, and release the “bullets” to the synapse.

SNAREs (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor) are composed of three main proteins believed to be of utmost importance for synaptic transmission.

"Without SNAREs there is no synaptic transmission," some of the investigators have stated.

Botox, disrupts SNAREs and impair cell to cell communication. In a study published in Cell Reports, the researchers report how they used Botox and similar toxins as tools to demonstrate the critical role of SNAREs proteins in communication among nerve cells. it turned out to be that these proteins are involved in retrieving the bullets for reuse of additional subsequent signals.The critical point is that without retrieval of these neurotransmitters, messages are aborted and there is no communication between nerve cells. Therefore critical processes such as movements, thoughts or even feelings become disrupted.

Botox, SNAREs and Brain Cell Communication - SNARE proteins (red, green and blue objects) are molecules found at most synapses throughout the body. They are known for their role in helping nerve cells send messages by releasing neurotransmitters.  Courtesy of NINDS. 

The implications may be also very important in understanding several neurological disorders in which SNARE's were demonstrated to be involved, such as schizophrenia and spastic ataxia.

"We think SNARES work like this in most nerve cell synapses. This new role could change the way scientists think about how SNAREs are involved in neuronal communication and diseases," said Dr. Wu, one of the main investigators in the study.

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Reference

Xu J et al. “SNARE proteins synaptobrevin, SNAP-25 and syntaxin are involved in rapid and slow endocytosis at synapses.” Cell Reports, May 2, 2013. DOI: 10.1016 j.cellrep