Up until now, causes of Alzheimer’s have only been speculated. Current ideas surround genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. One thing is for certain, though, Alzheimer’s disease has a huge impact on the brain – killing brain cells which leads to memory loss and impaired ability to function.
As scientific research into Alzheimer’s continues, we may now be one step closer to the cause. Researchers at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina may have uncovered what they say could cause Alzheimer’s disease.
The brain cell behind Alzheimer’s
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Published in the Journal of Neuroscience, researchers used mice to come to their new findings. Previous study suggested that amyloid plaques and tangles of tau proteins in the brain worked together to develop Alzheimer’s. But researchers now say these two components in the brain are getting help from other cells.
The immune cell, called microglia, is supposed to protect the brain. But in the case of Alzheimer’s, this cell actually starts to weaken the immune system. Within laboratory mice that had Alzheimer’s, the microglia increases the amount of an anzyme called arginase. When this occurs, it depletes arginine, an essential amino acid to nerve cells.
Researchers hypothesize that if there was a way to block the increase of arginase then that could be a means of treating Alzheimer’s. They also conclude that arginine is important for the health of nerve cells. So it may seem as easy as supplementing the body with arginine, but unfortunately, as the researchers point out, dietary arginine does not get absorbed to the brain, so you cannot use it to boost your brain health.
Researchers are optimistic about their discovery, but are aware that response in mice does not always translate to treatment on humans. We do see it as a hopeful stepping stone bringing us closer to an exact cause of Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s in America
Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia that affects memory. A person’s thoughts, memory and even language are impacted, and they will lose these abilities over time. As of 2013, roughly five millions Americans have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Although the majority of those diagnosed are seniors, younger people can still get the disease as well. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates by 2050 up to 14 million people will have Alzheimer’s.
With Alzheimer’s on the rise – risk doubles every five years after the age of 65 – finding a cause is imperative. When a cause is confirmed we can begin to work on better treatment and even a cure. With continuing research, we develop a better understanding of the debilitating disease, and become one step closer to a cure.
Research like this discovery from Duke’s University just goes to show that with advancements in medicine we can start to get to the root of many diseases that we previously had little knowledge about. Research like this gives us hope that our children’s children can live a life without the fear of losing their memory.
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If this is your blood type, you could be at risk for Alzheimer’s
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Forgetting people’s names or where you put your keys? Memory loss is an issue that plagues so many of us as we age. And scientists continue to point out ways to prevent the decline that is seemingly a natural part of aging. You need to keep stress and blood sugars relatively low, and of course, absolutely no smoking.
Alzheimer’s disease misdiagnosed?
How’s this for unsettling…Alzheimer’s disease is an illness that causes the brain cells to deteriorate. As a result, mood, behavior and memory decline. More than five million Americans are living with this form of dementia. A cause for real concern though is that some of them have been misdiagnosed.
