How brain cells are affected by Alzheimer’s has long been the subject of debate among scientists.
A team of scientists from the UK and Belgium seems to have ended years’ worth of speculation.
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Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia – decline of brain function, memory and thinking skills – in the UK, and it’s that 900,000 Brits are living with the crippling condition.
Alzheimer’s disease is complex. But one piece of evidence that can help explain the condition involves the amyloid buildup and tau clumping together to form plaques or tangles.
It is difficult for the brain and body to communicate properly.
Loss of neurons in the brain is another thing that occurs when someone has this condition. This leads to the destruction of neural networks, and the loss or memory.
For decades, scientists have puzzled over the relationship between two important processes.
Researchers from the UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London in the UK and KU Leuven (Belgium) seemed to have cracked this.
It is believed that the abnormal protein build-up in the brain leads to a type cellular suicide, called “necroptosis”.
The Journalist’s Guide to Writing Scientists are able to explain the origin of life and its evolution.Researchers say that amyloid build-up in spaces between neuron leads to inflammation of the brain.
This causes the internal chemical composition of neurons to start to alter.
The brain produces a MEG3 when tau begins to tangle.
The body uses necroptosis when it makes new cells to remove unwanted cells.
Scientists examined this process after transplanting the human brain cells to genetically modified mouse brains which were capable of producing a large amount of amyloid.
The scientists have been able to guarantee the survival of human brain cells by blocking the production MEG3.
BBC reported that Prof Bart De Strooper of the UK’s Dementia Research Institute said this breakthrough sheds new light for the first-time on “how the brain’s neurons die” in Alzheimer’s. This was after many years of speculation.
He said, “It’s a strong indication that this is the specific suicide path.”
Professor De Strooper stated that the discovery of blocking the MEG3 can delay brain cell death may lead to “a whole new line of drug development”, but it will take years of study.
According to Dr Susan Kohlhaas of Alzheimer’s Research UK: “This is an important discovery because it highlights new mechanisms for cell death that we did not previously understand. It could also pave the path to future treatments which will slow or stop the disease’s progression.”
The UK has approved a drug that is a breakthrough in Alzheimer’s treatment called lecanemab after clinical trials proved it slowed down the decline of people suffering from the disease.
Early signs of Alzheimer’s disease
Although Alzheimer’s affects everyone in a different way, there are certain early symptoms that can be observed.
The following is a list of Alzheimer’s SocietyThey include:
- Memory problems This is often the very first sign that you notice. It can affect your memory of conversations, events or appointments as well as places and journeys familiar to you.
- Problems with reasoning and thinking This could be a problem concentrating or following a discussion, confusion over the time, difficulty planning and confusion regarding what day of the week it is.
- Changes of mood They may lose their interest in hobbies, become easily irritated, scared or depressed, or anxious.
- Distance perception changesYou may find it difficult to use the stairs or park the car if you hear certain sounds.