Researchers at the University of Gdansk have demonstrated on an animal model the effectiveness of genistein in Huntington’s disease. The findings were published in the journal Autophagy.

Genistein is a chemical compound from the flavonoid group that is found in broad bean plants. Treatment with genistein stimulates the autophagy process in the brains of mice, leading to a correction of Huntington’s disease symptoms, suggesting that the compound could be considered as a potential drug. Huntington’s disease is a genetic disorder that causes progressive degeneration of brain cells, leading to motor and cognitive impairment.

Combined with a report indicating that impaired autophagy may be a major cause of neurodegenerative changes, these findings suggest a route to developing effective therapeutic approaches for various neurodegenerative diseases by testing compounds (or possibly combinations of compounds) capable of stimulating autophagy and/or unblocking this process.

Read more: https://ug.edu.pl/news/pl/6112/publikacja-zespolu-prof-grzegorza-wegrzyna-w-prestizowym-czasopismie