What Alzheimer's does to the brain?

Date:

2017-11-12 21:30:08

Views:

4154

Rating:

1Like 0Dislike

Share:

What Alzheimer's does to the brain? Source:

About 50 million people worldwide live with Alzheimer's disease. And with aging populations in many countries, the numbers suffering from this disease are steadily increasing. We know that Alzheimer's is caused by problems in the brain. The cells begin to lose function and eventually die, leading to memory loss, cognitive decline, and even major changes in personality. Separate areas of the brain are also narrowed in process of atrophy, which leads to significant loss of brain volume. But what exactly is happening in the brain leads to this?

The Main route of spread of the disease is through disruption of communication between neurons, special cells that process and transmit electrical and chemical communication between brain regions. It leads to death of brain cells and, as we think, to the accumulation of two types of proteins, amyloid and Tau. The exact interaction between these two proteins is largely unknown, but amyloid accumulates in sticky clusters, known as beta amyloid "plaques", as Tau accumulates inside dying cells, known as "neurofibrillary tangles".

One of the difficulties of diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is that we have no reliable and accurate method to measure these protein accumulations in the early stages of the disease. In fact, we are unable to definitively diagnose Alzheimer's disease up until the patient doesn't die, exploring the actual brain tissue.

Another problem is that beta amyloid plaques can also be found in the brain of healthy patients. This suggests that the presence of amyloid and Tau proteins can not explain the entire history of this disease.

More recent studies show that there is a role to play in chronic inflammation. Inflammation is a part of the body's defense system against disease, which occurs when white blood cells release chemicals to protect the body from foreign substances. But over a sufficiently long period of time it can cause damage.

In the brain tissue damaging long-term inflammation may be caused by the accumulation of cells known as microglia. In a healthy brain, these cells absorb and destroy waste and toxins. But in patients with Alzheimer microglia cannot clear this debris, including toxic Tau tangles or amyloid plaques. The body activates more microglia in an attempt to clear this debris, which in turn leads to inflammation. Long-term or chronic inflammation gradually damages brain cells and ultimately leads to their death.

Recently, scientists have identified a gene called TREM2, which may be responsible for this problem. Usually TREM2 directs microglia for purification of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain and helps to fight inflammation in the brain. But the scientists found that the brains of patients, the gene TREM2 which is not working correctly, accumulate beta-amyloid plaques between neurons.

Many Alzheimer's patients also have problems with the heart and circulatory system. Beta-amyloid deposits in brain arteries, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and mini-strokes may also play a role.

Vascular problems can further reduce blood flow in the brain and destroy the blood-brain barrier, a structure that is important for removal of toxic waste from the brain. This can also prevent the brain to absorb all the necessary glucose — some studies have suggested that this may occur before the appearance of toxic proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease in the brain.

Scientists deeper into the brain, in particular in the precise connections between neurons, known as synapses. A recent study published in Nature, describes a process in cells, which may contribute to the destruction of these synaptic connections between neurons. The data show that it may occur when there is not enough of a particular synaptic protein (also known as RBFOX1).

Through this kind of research, currently, there are many new drugs that are being tested and developed with the aim to resolve one or more changes in the brain that occur in Alzheimer's disease. Many researchers believe that a more personalized approach to patients with Alzheimer's disease is the future.

Recommended

The coronavirus has mutated into 30 new strains

The coronavirus has mutated into 30 new strains

While coronavirus Apocalypse slowly but inevitably becomes routine, the virus SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve. And, unfortunately, he was good at it. Writes , with reference to the South China Morning Post reports that new studies show that the virus ...

In the United States recognized that the ventilator dies 88% of patients with coronavirus

In the United States recognized that the ventilator dies 88% of patients with coronavirus

When the world is raging coronavirus that causes pneumonia and kills people, the only solution is intensive care. If this is not done, the victims will be very much. Today for severe patients there is only one solution — connected to the appara...

Can a transfusion of blood plasma to cure the coronavirus?

Can a transfusion of blood plasma to cure the coronavirus?

Typically, vaccination involves the introduction into the organism of the weakened or killed microorganisms (viruses) designed to create a strong immunity to possible future infectious diseases — that is, for selection of antibodies. But what i...

Comments (0)

This article has no comment, be the first!

Add comment

Related News

Eternal life may be mathematically impossible

Eternal life may be mathematically impossible

in 2016, when the FDA turned on the green light for clinical trials of metmorfin — a drug that increases life expectancy by 40% in animal models, it became clear that a paradigm shift occurs in our attitude to aging and life expec...

Russian scientists have created an artificial kidney new type

Russian scientists have created an artificial kidney new type

There are diseases that require a transplant immediately because of the huge health hazards, but often people like this need to wait for several months or even years. And then come to the aid of treatments. For example, if the kid...

Scientists won one of the deadliest and incurable diseases

Scientists won one of the deadliest and incurable diseases

There is a very rare genetic disease — epidermolysis bullosa characterized by blistering and erosions on skin and mucous membranes, skin fragility and its sensitivity to minor mechanical trauma (let's just say it's better th...

In the US mosquitoes are destroyed using biological weapons

In the US mosquitoes are destroyed using biological weapons

deliver a lot of discomfort, and the assertion is true not only for rural regions of Russia, but also for countries such as the United States. Plus, mosquitoes are carriers of dangerous diseases such as Dengue fever. The staff of...

New flu vaccination gives lifelong immunity to the virus

New flu vaccination gives lifelong immunity to the virus

the Annual epidemic of the influenza virus able to bring down the health of a great number of people. To ease the disease or not get sick at all, there are vaccinations. But they need to do every year. And scientists from the US s...

Developed drug for the treatment of schizophrenia

Developed drug for the treatment of schizophrenia

There are many diseases that are poorly treatable. But if the "disease of the body" can still be seen, but with "diseases of the soul" is much more difficult. Drugs for treatment of disorders of the psyche, of course, exist, but o...

In shvabe has developed a bone substitute material

In shvabe has developed a bone substitute material

the Exhibition "Russia looking into the future" takes place from 5 to 22 November in the Central exhibition hall «arena». Participation of various Russian companies showing for the most part civil development. Among othe...

If we can return the dead to life?

If we can return the dead to life?

Imagine: you Wake up for work, eat Breakfast with his wife, and then say goodbye. This is your normal working day. It has, however, something unusual: your lover has been dead for years. You didn't eat Breakfast with his wife, but...

Russian scientists have found a way to control nanoparticles in the human body

Russian scientists have found a way to control nanoparticles in the human body

the Use of nanoparticles in medicine is a very promising development. But there is this technology and a significant disadvantage: expensive to produce nanoparticles are extremely targetirovanie. That is, do not apply where and ar...

In Japan for the first time successfully transplanted tissue printed on a 3D printer

In Japan for the first time successfully transplanted tissue printed on a 3D printer

3D printing Technology is becoming more common. And if some 5 years ago we could not think that using this technology will create organs and tissues, then today it became a reality. For example, a group of scientists from Kyushu U...

China has created a

China has created a "smart" suit, monitor the status of the owner

a New invention was presented at the International conference on nanoenergetic and nanosystems, a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Wang, Junling. Smart suit, created by Cjonline with colleagues, able to assess the health ...

Artificial intelligence will diagnose for just 1 dollar

Artificial intelligence will diagnose for just 1 dollar

There is little doubt that in the future artificial intelligence will help humanity in many spheres of activity. But some functions AI already can perform. Not for free. Israeli company Zebra Medical Vision not long ago introduced...

Can you die from a broken heart, really?

Can you die from a broken heart, really?

When someone loses a loved one or going through a terrible loss, people say that his heart is broken. But we tend to think that it is a figure of speech, which is usually used to describe the mental pain associated with the loss o...

Russian scientists have synthesized a molecule that prevents HIV infection

Russian scientists have synthesized a molecule that prevents HIV infection

Finding cures for dangerous diseases do, many experts around the world. But the disease is known, it is easier to prevent than to treat. And recently, Russian scientists from the Federal research and clinical center for physical-c...

Rare case: patient in Italy sweating blood

Rare case: patient in Italy sweating blood

Excessive sweating can lead to unpleasant sensations and stains on clothing, but at least you are sweating then. But the Italian patient is sweating blood. 21-year-old patient presented for medical examination after three years of...

Found able to protect against cancer molecules-suicide

Found able to protect against cancer molecules-suicide

American Scientists at northwestern University in a series of experiments came to the conclusion that some RNA molecules are able to run in the cells self-destruct sequence. Continuing research, they figured out how to use this fe...

Artificial pancreas to help diabetics control blood sugar levels

Artificial pancreas to help diabetics control blood sugar levels

Under the name most often refers to diabetes mellitus, which in human blood increases the level of glucose. The name comes from the Greek word "diabalo", meaning "to pass through". The first symptoms of this disease were discovere...

Six brilliant alternatives to antibiotics that lose their effectiveness

Six brilliant alternatives to antibiotics that lose their effectiveness

Excessive use of antibiotics leads to the fact that they are becoming less and less effective when we are more — and scientists are hastily looking for a way to fix it. In front of you contains the best ideas of how to curb one of...

Russian scientists have found a way to detect cancer before it arrives

Russian scientists have found a way to detect cancer before it arrives

prevention of serious diseases is much more important than the treatment of these diseases. After all, if the disease be prevented, and treatment is not required. As for cancer, then statistics are depressing: every year the numbe...

The genes of Neanderthals associated with poor sleep and obesity

The genes of Neanderthals associated with poor sleep and obesity

Genetics has firmly established that about two percent of the DNA of all living people outside of Africa was transferred from our relatives, the Neanderthals. Hard to imagine why our ancestors first decided to mate with them. In t...