{"id":130005,"date":"2024-11-25T19:19:45","date_gmt":"2024-11-25T12:19:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=130005"},"modified":"2024-11-25T19:19:45","modified_gmt":"2024-11-25T12:19:45","slug":"alzheimers-may-not-actually-be-a-brain-disease-an-expert-reveals-sciencealert","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=130005","title":{"rendered":"Alzheimer&#8217;s May Not Actually Be a Brain Disease, an Expert Reveals : ScienceAlert"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-fb+5w+4e-db+86\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7910942971\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>The pursuit of a cure for  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencealert.com\/go\/IaO\" class=\"lar_link lar_link_outgoing\" data-linkid=\"73015\" data-postid=\"144643\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_self\">Alzheimer&#8217;s<\/a> disease is becoming an increasingly competitive and contentious quest with recent years witnessing several important controversies.<\/p>\n<p>In July 2022, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.science.org\/content\/article\/potential-fabrication-research-images-threatens-key-theory-alzheimers-disease\"><em>Science<\/em> magazine<\/a> reported that a key <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/doi:10.1038\/nature04533\">2006 research paper, published in the prestigious journal <em>Nature<\/em><\/a>, which identified a subtype of brain protein called beta-amyloid as the cause of Alzheimer&#8217;s, may have been based on fabricated data.<\/p>\n<p><!-- START single\/mrec --><br \/>\n<!-- END single\/mrec --><\/p>\n<p>One year earlier, in June 2021, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/drugs\/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers\/aducanumab-marketed-aduhelm-information\">US Food and Drug Administration had approved aducanumab<\/a>, an antibody-targeting beta-amyloid, as a treatment for Alzheimer&#8217;s, even though the data supporting its use were incomplete and contradictory.<\/p>\n<p><!-- START single\/mrec --><br \/>\n<!-- END single\/mrec --><\/p>\n<p>Some physicians believe aducanumab never should have been approved, while others maintain it should be given a chance.<\/p>\n<p><!-- START single\/mrec --><br \/>\n<!-- END single\/mrec --><\/p>\n<p>With millions of people needing an effective treatment, why are researchers still fumbling in this quest for a cure for what is arguably one of the most important diseases confronting humankind?<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_142437\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-142437\" style=\"width: 642px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sciencealert.com\/images\/2024\/11\/AmyloidPlaquesAmongNeurons_R_U_642-642x500.jpg\" alt=\"Clumps of yellow forming among purple neurons\" width=\"642\" height=\"500\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-142437\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sciencealert.com\/images\/2024\/11\/AmyloidPlaquesAmongNeurons_R_U_642-642x500.jpg 642w, https:\/\/www.sciencealert.com\/images\/2024\/11\/AmyloidPlaquesAmongNeurons_R_U_642-533x415.jpg 533w, https:\/\/www.sciencealert.com\/images\/2024\/11\/AmyloidPlaquesAmongNeurons_R_U_642-768x598.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sciencealert.com\/images\/2024\/11\/AmyloidPlaquesAmongNeurons_R_U_642-600x467.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.sciencealert.com\/images\/2024\/11\/AmyloidPlaquesAmongNeurons_R_U_642.jpg 1204w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 642px) 100vw, 642px\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-142437\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Illustration of beta-amyloid plaques (yellow) amongst neurons. (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.canva.com\/photos\/MADq3tpYQR4\/\">Science Photo Library\/Canva<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Escaping the beta-amyloid rut<\/h2>\n<p>For years, scientists have been focused on trying to come up with new treatments for Alzheimer&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ijbiomac.2020.11.192\">by preventing the formation of brain-damaging clumps of this mysterious protein<\/a> called beta-amyloid.<\/p>\n<p><!-- START single\/mrec --><br \/>\n<!-- END single\/mrec --><\/p>\n<p>In fact, we scientists have arguably got ourselves into a bit of an intellectual rut concentrating almost exclusively on this approach, often neglecting or even ignoring other possible explanations.<\/p>\n<p><!-- START single\/mrec --><br \/>\n<!-- END single\/mrec --><\/p>\n<p>Regrettably, this dedication to studying the abnormal protein clumps has not translated into a useful drug or therapy. The need for a new &#8220;out-of-the-clump&#8221; way of thinking about Alzheimer&#8217;s is emerging as a top priority in brain science.<\/p>\n<p><!-- START single\/mrec --><br \/>\n<!-- END single\/mrec --><\/p>\n<p>My laboratory at the Krembil Brain Institute, part of the University Health Network in Toronto, is devising a <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/trc2.12283\">new theory of Alzheimer&#8217;s disease<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><!-- START single\/mrec --><br \/>\n<!-- END single\/mrec --><\/p>\n<p>Based on our past 30 years of research, we no longer think of Alzheimer&#8217;s as primarily a disease of the brain. Rather, we believe that Alzheimer&#8217;s is principally <a href=\"https:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.2174\/1567205018666211202141650\">a disorder of the immune system within the brain<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><!-- START single\/mrec --><br \/>\n<!-- END single\/mrec --><\/p>\n<p>The immune system, found in every organ in the body, is a collection of cells and molecules that work in harmony to help repair injuries and protect from foreign invaders.<\/p>\n<p><!-- START single\/mrec --><br \/>\n<!-- END single\/mrec --><\/p>\n<p>When a person trips and falls, the immune system helps to mend the damaged tissues. When someone experiences a viral or bacterial infection, the immune system helps in the fight against these microbial invaders.<\/p>\n<p><!-- START single\/mrec --><br \/>\n<!-- END single\/mrec --><\/p>\n<p>The exact same processes are present in the brain. When there is head trauma, the brain&#8217;s immune system kicks into gear to help repair. When bacteria are present in the brain, the immune system is there to fight back.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_144645\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-144645\" style=\"width: 642px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sciencealert.com\/images\/2024\/11\/WhiteBloodCellsImmuneSystem642.jpg\" alt=\"Bright green cells with orange spots in between them\" width=\"642\" height=\"500\" class=\"size-full wp-image-144645\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sciencealert.com\/images\/2024\/11\/WhiteBloodCellsImmuneSystem642.jpg 642w, https:\/\/www.sciencealert.com\/images\/2024\/11\/WhiteBloodCellsImmuneSystem642-533x415.jpg 533w, https:\/\/www.sciencealert.com\/images\/2024\/11\/WhiteBloodCellsImmuneSystem642-600x467.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 642px) 100vw, 642px\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-144645\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">White blood cells of the immune system activated to fight a bacterial infection. Green shows expression of molecules in their surfaces, and orange shows synthesis of molecules inside the cells. (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.canva.com\/photos\/MAC8pLP43hw\/\">Dlumen\/Canva<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Alzheimer&#8217;s as autoimmune disease<\/h2>\n<p>We believe that beta-amyloid is not an abnormally produced protein, but rather is a normally occurring molecule that is part of the brain&#8217;s immune system. It is supposed to be there.<\/p>\n<p><!-- START single\/mrec --><br \/>\n<!-- END single\/mrec --><\/p>\n<p>When brain trauma occurs or when bacteria are present in the brain, beta-amyloid is a key contributor to the brain&#8217;s comprehensive immune response. And this is where the problem begins.<\/p>\n<p><!-- START single\/mrec --><br \/>\n<!-- END single\/mrec --><\/p>\n<p>Because of striking similarities between the fat molecules that make up both the membranes of bacteria and the membranes of brain cells, beta-amyloid cannot tell the difference between invading bacteria and host brain cells, and mistakenly attacks the very brain cells it is supposed to be protecting.<\/p>\n<p><!-- START single\/mrec --><br \/>\n<!-- END single\/mrec --><\/p>\n<p>This leads to a chronic, progressive loss of brain cell function, which ultimately culminates in dementia \u2013 all because our body&#8217;s immune system cannot differentiate between bacteria and brain cells.<\/p>\n<p><!-- START single\/mrec --><br \/>\n<!-- END single\/mrec --><\/p>\n<p>When regarded as a misdirected attack by the brain&#8217;s immune system on the very organ it is supposed to be defending, Alzheimer&#8217;s disease emerges as an autoimmune disease.<\/p>\n<p><!-- START single\/mrec --><br \/>\n<!-- END single\/mrec --><\/p>\n<p>There are many types of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, in which autoantibodies play a crucial role in the development of the disease, and for which steroid-based therapies can be effective. But these therapies will not work against Alzheimer&#8217;s disease.<\/p>\n<p><!-- START single\/mrec --><br \/>\n<!-- END single\/mrec --><\/p>\n<p>The brain is a very special and distinctive organ, recognized as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK234155\/#\">the most complex structure in the Universe<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_144646\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-144646\" style=\"width: 642px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sciencealert.com\/images\/2024\/11\/OlderCoupleReadingABookTogether642.jpg\" alt=\"A senior man and woman looking at a book together\" width=\"642\" height=\"500\" class=\"size-full wp-image-144646\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sciencealert.com\/images\/2024\/11\/OlderCoupleReadingABookTogether642.jpg 642w, https:\/\/www.sciencealert.com\/images\/2024\/11\/OlderCoupleReadingABookTogether642-533x415.jpg 533w, https:\/\/www.sciencealert.com\/images\/2024\/11\/OlderCoupleReadingABookTogether642-600x467.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 642px) 100vw, 642px\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-144646\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Alzheimer&#8217;s is arguably one of the most important diseases confronting humankind. (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.canva.com\/photos\/MAD5TsR1koQ\/\">Robert Kneschke\/Canva<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In our model of Alzheimer&#8217;s, beta-amyloid helps to protect and bolster our immune system, but unfortunately, it also plays a central role in the autoimmune process that, we believe, may lead to the development of Alzheimer&#8217;s.<\/p>\n<p><!-- START single\/mrec --><br \/>\n<!-- END single\/mrec --><\/p>\n<p>Though drugs conventionally used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases may not work against Alzheimer&#8217;s, we strongly believe that targeting other immune-regulating pathways in the brain will lead us to new and effective treatment approaches for the disease.<\/p>\n<p><!-- START single\/mrec --><br \/>\n<!-- END single\/mrec --><\/p>\n<h2>Other theories of the disease<\/h2>\n<p>In addition to this autoimmune theory of Alzheimer&#8217;s, many other new and varied theories are beginning to appear. For example, some scientists believe that <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.mito.2022.05.001\">Alzheimer&#8217;s is a disease of tiny cellular structures called mitochondria<\/a> \u2013 the energy factories in every brain cell.<\/p>\n<p><!-- START single\/mrec --><br \/>\n<!-- END single\/mrec --><\/p>\n<p>Mitochondria convert oxygen from the air we breathe and glucose from the food we eat into the energy required for remembering and thinking.<\/p>\n<p><!-- START single\/mrec --><br \/>\n<!-- END single\/mrec --><\/p>\n<p>Some maintain that it is the end-result of a <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4103\/1673-5374.339476\">particular brain infection<\/a>, with <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/prd.12429\">bacteria from the mouth often being suggested as the culprit<\/a>. Still others suggest that the disease may arise from an <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/biom12050714\">abnormal handling of metals within the brain<\/a>, possibly zinc, copper, or iron.<\/p>\n<p><!-- START single\/mrec --><br \/>\n<!-- END single\/mrec --><\/p>\n<p>It is gratifying to see <a href=\"https:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1136\/jnnp-2021-327370\">new thinking about this age-old disease<\/a>. Dementia currently affects more than 50 million people worldwide, with a new diagnosis being made every three seconds.<\/p>\n<p><!-- START single\/mrec --><br \/>\n<!-- END single\/mrec --><\/p>\n<p>Often, people living with Alzheimer&#8217;s disease are unable to recognize their own children or even their spouse of more than 50 years.<\/p>\n<p><!-- START single\/mrec --><br \/>\n<!-- END single\/mrec --><\/p>\n<p>Alzheimer&#8217;s is a public health crisis in need of innovative ideas and fresh directions.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_144650\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-144650\" style=\"width: 642px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sciencealert.com\/images\/2024\/11\/YoungPersonKissingASeniorLadyOnTheCheek642.jpg\" alt=\"A young person kissing an older lady on the cheek\" width=\"642\" height=\"500\" class=\"size-full wp-image-144650\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sciencealert.com\/images\/2024\/11\/YoungPersonKissingASeniorLadyOnTheCheek642.jpg 642w, https:\/\/www.sciencealert.com\/images\/2024\/11\/YoungPersonKissingASeniorLadyOnTheCheek642-533x415.jpg 533w, https:\/\/www.sciencealert.com\/images\/2024\/11\/YoungPersonKissingASeniorLadyOnTheCheek642-600x467.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 642px) 100vw, 642px\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-144650\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Often, people living with Alzheimer&#8217;s disease are unable to recognize their own children. (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.canva.com\/photos\/MAEJfNN0xD0\/\">akurtz\/Canva<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>For the well-being of the people and families living with dementia, and for the socioeconomic impact on our already stressed health-care system coping with the ever-escalating costs and demands of dementia, we need a better understanding of Alzheimer&#8217;s, its causes, and what we can do to treat it and to help the people and families who are living with it.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/counter.theconversation.com\/content\/189047\/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic\" alt=\"The Conversation\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" style=\"border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;\"\/><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https:\/\/theconversation.com\/republishing-guidelines -->\n<\/p>\n<p><span><a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/profiles\/donald-weaver-566502\"><em>Donald Weaver<\/em><\/a><em>, Professor of Chemistry and Director of Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/institutions\/university-of-toronto-1281\">University of Toronto<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p><!-- START single\/mrec --><br \/>\n<!-- END single\/mrec --><\/p>\n<p><strong>This article is republished from <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\">The Conversation<\/a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/alzheimers-might-not-be-primarily-a-brain-disease-a-new-theory-suggests-its-an-autoimmune-condition-189047\">original article<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>An earlier version of this article was published in September 2022.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\"\r\n     style=\"display:block\"\r\n     data-ad-format=\"fluid\"\r\n     data-ad-layout-key=\"-fb+5w+4e-db+86\"\r\n     data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     data-ad-slot=\"7910942971\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1660802\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencealert.com\/alzheimers-may-not-actually-be-a-brain-disease-an-expert-reveals\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The pursuit of a cure for Alzheimer&#8217;s disease is becoming an increasingly competitive and contentious quest with recent years witnessing several important controversies. In July 2022, Science magazine reported that &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/?p=130005\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-130005","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-health","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/130005","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=130005"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/130005\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=130005"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=130005"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hotvideos24.online\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=130005"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}