Super-Intelligent Mice Created By Scientists, Can Treat Brain Disorder

Genetically modified mice have been created to be super-intelligent and less anxious, which is a discovery to help find remedies for disorders such as Alzheimer's, schizophrenia and publish traumatic stress dysfunction (PTSD), according to vocalrepublic.

British and Canadian discoverers changed single genes to dam the phosphodiesterase-4B (PDE4B) enzyme, which is located in many organs along with the brain. It made mice much cleverer and much less fearful.

"Our work utilizing mice has recognized phosphodiesterase-4B as a promising goal for potential new remedies," stated Steve Clapcote, a lecturer in pharmacology at Britain's Leeds University, who led the research.

His staff is involved in creating medicine that may inhibit PDE4B. They will first try it out on animals to and then transfer it to humans.

All the experiments were published in the journal 'Neuropsychopharmacology' After they ran many tests on the PDE4B-inhibited mice, they found the GM mice had an inclination learn faster, remember events longer and find solutions to complex problems much faster than normal mice, according to dailymail.

The brainy mice could recognize and remember colleagues seen earlier, find escape platforms but were less able to recall fear and stress of earlier days.They were also less anxious and preferred to spend more time in bright, well-lit places than normal mice, which tended to huddle in dark corners.

The new discovery would be a breakthrough in treating patients of Alzheimers and mental decline.

Said Dr Laura Phipps of Alzheimer's Research UK, who was not involved in the study: "This study highlights a potentially important role for the PDE4B gene in learning and memory in mice, but further studies will be needed to know whether the findings could have implications for Alzheimer's disease or other dementias.

"We'd need to see how this gene could influence memory and thinking in people to get a better idea of whether it could hold potential as a target to treat Alzheimer's.

"There is currently a lack of effective treatments for dementia and understanding the effect of genes can be a key early step on the road to developing new drugs.

"With so many people affected by dementia, it is important that there is research into a wide array of treatment approaches to have the best chance of helping people sooner.'