Sodium selenate: A potential future treatment for early-onset dementia

When asked how sodium selenate may theoretically treat bvFTD, Dr. Lucy Vivash, research fellow at Monash University and lead scientist of the study, explained to Medical News Today: “In its ‘normal’ form, tau forms part of the transport mechanisms within the neuron. Increasing the activity of PP2A reduces the levels of tau in the brain, which prevents further neuronal death and the progression of disease symptoms.”Dr. Barbara Cardoso, lecturer in nutrition dietetics and food at Monash University, who was not involved in the study, added that sodium selenate is also associated with antioxidant response, which may further protect against neurodegeneration. The researchers concluded that their findings warrant a double-blind, placebo-controlled study to further evaluate sodium selenate as a potential treatment to slow or stop disease progression in patients with bvFTD.