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Protein Responsible for Alzheimer’s Could Come From Other Body Parts

New research has revealed that amyloid beta, the protein that’s prevalent in Alzheimer’s diseased brains, could have originated from other body parts. The study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry explains scientists surgically attached mice to each other for months to confirm that amyloid beta found in the bloodstream can go to the brain and creates common Alzheimer’s symptoms.Researchers wish to know if this study’s results carry over to humans because creating drugs that do not need to target the brain is much more optimal considering it’s extremely hard to reach and treat the brain. However, it is more feasible to remove the protein before it reaches the brain by targetting the liver or kidneys instead.”The blood-brain barrier weakens as we age. That might allow more amyloid beta to infiltrate the brain, supplementing what is produced by the brain itself and accelerating the deterioration,” explains co-senior researcher Weihong Song, a professor of psychiatry at the University of British Columbia in Canida.

The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, a deadly neurodegenerative condition that slowly deteriorates a person’s cognitive ability, memory, communication, and ability to care for themselves.While it is possible to develop early-onset Alzheimer’s, the disease typically develops in individuals who are 60 or older.With 47 million people who have dementia, it’s estimated that near 65% of those individuals have Alzheimer’s disease.

Currently, in the United States, there are about 5 million people living with Alzheimer’s and this number is expected to reach 14 million by 2050.

While it’s still unclear why Alzheimer’s develops, researchers typically believe there are several causes that can develop differently in different individuals.

Amyloid Beta

The only definitive way a doctor can know someone has Alzheimer’s disease is to look at their brain during an autopsy, if sticky, abnormal depots of amyloid beta protein are present, the person developed Alzheimer’s. As the plaques grow, they disrupt brain cells and their connections to each other, and eventually, the brain cells die.

Amyloid beta originates from a larger protein that is found in the brain as well as other organs. While also being produced in blood platelet, muscles, and blood vessels.

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Disclaimer

The information on Alzheimers.help is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice.  Please contact your medical professional about specific questions you may have about Alzheimer’s and Dementia diseases.

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