Alzheimer's Breakthrough Research

      A new breakthrough in Alzheimer’s research has occurred as new proteins and their ratios have been identified. Alzheimer’s is caused by the aggregation of amyloid-beta proteins that no longer have a healthy ratio. (You want more amyloid-beta 40 than 42.) This article discusses the evidence found that links the protein ratio to a pattern of electrical pulses in the hippocampus. These pulses are responsible for specific brain activity, but it was found that by changing the frequency of these pulses, the ratio of 40:42 protein can be manipulated. Increasing the rate while maintaining a low frequency will increase the ratio proportionately, but it was found that increasing the frequency of pulses also increased the number of amyloid-beta 40 produced. This therefore, allows the ratio of good to bad proteins to increase, which would hopefully help prevent or at least delay Alzheimer’s. 

During this experiment, a new protein called presenilin was discovered to also play a role. It is thought that perhaps changes in the spikes will cause conformational changes in the presenilin. These changes ultimately lead to early memory impairments in sporadic Alzheimer patients. 

Recent research is also showing that “different kinds of environmental changes and experiences -- including sensory and emotion” can affect different synapses in the brain. These changes can also affect the spiking patterns. It is thought that stimulant-rich environments help to delay Alzheimer’s, but recent studies have shown that sensory experiences may also play a role in synaptic regulation that will result in higher levels of a-b 40.  

Researchers are now planning on testing the ability to prevent Alzheimer initiation by manipulating different activity pattern pathways in the hippocampus. If this can be done, then it will perhaps provide a way to diagnose Alzheimer’s earlier on. 

I found this article interesting because several of my great grandparents have died from Alzheimer’s, so I know it runs in my family. If there is any new research on ways to prevent, or at least delay the onset of this disease, then I would very much like to be informed of it. This way I can pass the information along to my other family members, and hopefully prevent this terrible, mind-warping disease. 

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130418125742.htm