Disease Models and Mechanisms. 7(9): 1101-1109.
This paper describes a neurological effect of Blue 1 that may be of medical benefit in treating spinal cord pathology in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
The receptor P2X7 is involved in the central nervous system and immune system of all people. In ALS, however, this receptor is upregulated (excessively “turned on”) in the spinal cord.
Blue 1 interferes with this P2X7 receptor, lowering its activity and thereby lowering the neuroinflammatory component of ALS. Thus Blue 1 shows promise as a treatment for ALS.
NOTE: Perhaps we should put Blue 1 on the prescription pad but not on our plates, considering it lowers the activity of an important receptor in our nervous system?
