Evanston, Ill. -- U.S. researchers say they've determined protein damage common in neurodegenerative and age-associated diseases might be treatable if detected early enough.
Northwestern University medical scientists say misfolded and damaged proteins can be detected much earlier than has been thought possible, long before individuals exhibit symptoms. And if intervention occurs early enough damage could be delayed.
The researchers said they studied seven different proteins of the worm C. elegans and found each protein misfolds at the same point: during early adulthood and long before the animal shows any behavioral, or physiological change.
