In the ongoing search for causes and/or a potential cure for Alzheimer’s disease, there are always surprises. Most Alzheimer’s research still leans toward examining the hallmark beta amyloid deposits that create the plaques in the brain that are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease.
Recently, a study was published in The Journal of Neuroscience Research that indicates, “…significant concentrations of beta amyloid might originate in the liver, circulate in the blood, and enter the brain. If true, blocking production of beta amyloid in the liver should protect the brain.”
An article published on sciencedaily.com titled “Liver, Not Brain, May be Origin of Alzheimer’s Plaques,” stated that, “Unexpected results from a Scripps Research Institute and ModGene, LLC study could completely alter scientists’ ideas about Alzheimer’s disease…”
The article also suggested that these findings could simplify the approach for prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
As with most studies, this one used a mouse model. Researchers identified genes that could affect the amounts of amyloid that can accumulate in the brain. These scientists have focused their work on genetic differences, which will be interesting to follow. Many people worry about their genetic risk for Alzheimer’s if they have one or more relatives who develop Alzheimer’s. People who have two parents diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease tend to be even more worried, which is understandable.
However, many people develop Alzheimer’s even through there is no obvious genetic link. Of course, some of that may be simply that we, in general, live longer than past generations, therefore age, being a risk factor for AD, kicks in. However, we’re seeing more early on-set Alzheimer’s than in the past, as well.
Is there a genetic risk at work here? That’s hard to tell. Is the same mechanism at work with early on-set Alzheimer’s as with AD diagnosed in the elder years? One thing that makes Alzheimer’s so tricky is that it’s believed that the disease may actually start decades before it’s diagnosed. Therefore, how many of us carry the genetic risk, but had relatives die from cancer, diabetes complications or an accident before AD manifested?
Perhaps researchers will eventually find that all Alzheimer’s is genetic. Perhaps not. There may be environmental variables. Many studies suggest that exercise, diet, educational levels, social outlets and other variations in life all affect our Alzheimer’s risk.
Now, we have another finding to consider – a liver connection. If the amyloids could be blocked before they have a chance to accumulate in the brain that could be a big break through. Only time and more research will tell.
For those already affected by AD, none of this matters unless this research moves forward very quickly. They need to know how to cope with the disease now. However, for the future of our aging population, this research is vital. Our health care system will be swamped by elders affected by Alzheimer’s disease unless a means of prevention and/or a cure is discovered. We can only hope that some research team finds something major very soon.
Posted in Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Studies | No Comments »Tags: Alzheimer’s, liver, study
