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Research Early Alzheimer's Diagnoses by Proteins in Nervous Water
Several times in recent years, supposedly revolutionary healing methods against Alzheimer's were propagated, but until today, the disease is not curable, but only their course can be slowed down. The earliest possible diagnosis is crucial for this. As an early sign could serve certain proteins in the nervous water, so the result of a recent study at the Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) in Munich.
Years before the disease becomes apparent, the immune cells of the brain are already active, the scientists report. "These abnormal immune reactions can be demonstrated by the concentration of a protein," continues the LMU release. In this way, based on the proteins in the future much earlier than before a corresponding diagnosis could be made, which would also significantly improve the treatment options. The researchers have published the results of their study in the journal "Science Translational Medicine".
Even years before the onset of the first symptoms, Alzheimer's shows an altered immune response in the brain, which can be detected by certain proteins in the nerve water. (Image: goa novi / fotolia.com) Abnormal immune response long before the onset of the disease
The role of the immune system in the brain in Alzheimer's disease has remained largely unclear. The research team led by Christian Haass, LMU Chair in Metabolic Biochemistry, and Michael Ewers, Professor at the Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD) at the LMU Hospital, have now identified an early immune response in individuals with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's notice. About seven years before the expected onset of the first symptoms of dementia, "abnormal immune reactions" have already occurred in the brain of those affected, the scientists report.
Concentration of the protein TREM2 in the nerve water
A total of 127 people with a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer's disease were included in the study. Their average age was 40 years and the overwhelming majority showed, according to the researchers, "no symptoms of dementia or had very little cognitive impairment." Based on the concentration of the protein "TREM2" in the nerve water, the scientists were able to early on, according to the LMU demonstrate increasing immune activity in the subject's brain.
Phagocytes release protein
The protein TREM2 is released by the brain's brain cells, the so-called microglia, and reflects their activity, explain the researchers. Since the time for the onset of dementia can be predicted relatively precisely in the genetically determined form of Alzheimer's disease, the Munich scientists were able to document the increase in TREM2 values years before the expected onset of dementia symptoms, according to the LMU.
Disease course more comprehensible
The results show for the first time "that in Alzheimer's inflammatory processes in the brain develop dynamically and that they are precursors of dementia," the experts report. With the help of the protein, this immune reaction can be imaged in the nerve water, which offers the opportunity to understand the course of the disease. Stimulates "the activity of the phagocytes by dying brain cells, not by the deposition of amyloid proteins, the so-called plaques, which indeed also occur in Alzheimer's," emphasizes Christian Haass.
Biomarkers generally valid for Alzheimer's disease?
According to the researchers, their results could also apply to the so-called sporadic Alzheimer's disease, which does not belong to the inheritable form of the disease and occur much more frequently. "The TREM2 value could be a biomarker that shows the immune activity in the course of Alzheimer's disease, regardless of whether the disease is genetic or not," says Prof. Ewers.
Therapeutic applications of the new findings
Furthermore, the scientists hope that their findings can also be used for therapeutic purposes. "Perhaps the TREM2 value is useful as a therapeutic marker to read the response to drug treatment," says Ewers. Also, the "phagocytes may have a protective function, but in the course of the disease comes to a halt," adds Haass. At present, active substances are being researched to increase the activity of the phagocytes. The use of the TREM2 value as a marker should also be checked in further studies. The current study was part of the so-called DIAN project (Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network), a worldwide network for the study of the inherited form of Alzheimer's disease. (Fp)