Study Earlier detection of Alzheimer's possible

Alzheimer's can be detected early

04/04/2013

Alzheimer's - a treacherous disease that affects more and more people in old age, but currently still not curable, but can be postponed at most by medication. Now scientists from the Bonn University Hospital and the University of Göttingen have gained new insights into the development of brain disease, which is currently published in the specialist journal „Acta Neuropathologica“ to be published. Because while previously Alzheimer's researchers had assumed it, „that harmful plaques are attached to the nerve cells from the outside and ultimately drive them to destruction“, The researchers discovered in mouse brains dangerous deposits directly in the nerve cells, which could indicate that „Alzheimer's disease already begins when no plaques are visible from the outside“, so the press release of the University of Bonn.

Strong increase in Alzheimer's cases until 2050
More than 1.3 million people in this country suffer from dementia, in most cases it is Alzheimer's disease, where experts predict that the number of diseases will double over the next 40 years. As with many of the so-called neurodegenerative diseases, the cause of the disease is irreparable damage and destruction of brain cells, although it has not yet been clearly clarified what causes it.

Cause for destruction of nerve cells probably deposit
A possible causative agent could be the experts for deposits of misfolded beta-amyloid peptides, which would affect the function of the cells long before the first clinical symptoms. According to Prof. Dr. med. Jochen Walter of the Department of Neurology of the Bonn University Hospital from previous studies emerged that beta-amyloid peptides with phosphate group are classified as particularly harmful, because this „clump stronger and are much more degradable than peptides without a phosphate group.“

New study shows age-dependent deposition in mice
In recent investigations, researchers from the University of Göttingen and Alzheimer's Diseased mice have now investigated the extent to which the deposition of these beta-amyloid beta-amyloid peptides with age depends on their age - plaques have been known to be deposited from outside and the nerve cells are gradually damaged. Against this background, the researchers in their current study came to the surprising result, „That the particularly harmful beta-amyloid peptides with phosphate group deposited in young, two-month-old animals not outside, but directly in the nerve cells“, so Dr. Sathish Kumar from the group of Prof. Walter. However, from the age of six months, the situation in the mice changed. For example, the deposits inside and outside the nerve cells were approximately equally pronounced until they were above the brain cells above 12 months of age.

Illness could possibly be detected earlier than previously
The finding that at the beginning of the disease, the deposits take place directly in the nerve cells, show the researchers that „Alzheimer's disease already begins when no plaques are visible from the outside“, said Prof. Walter - a very important finding, because early diagnosis and treatment can help to control symptoms such as memory loss and behavioral problems as long as possible. Furthermore, it is believed that the nerve cells affected by the deposits of the peptides with phosphate group, could be responsible for the aggravation of the disease, because „these brain cells apparently age very rapidly and seem to serve as a kind of germ from which later the plaques form outside of the brain cells“, so the University of Bonn.

Antibodies and special staining techniques to identify particularly harmful plaques In order to distinguish between the less harmful peptides without a phosphate group and the particularly harmful peptides with a phosphate group, the researchers had developed specific antibodies as part of their project, „which either fit exactly to the phosphate-containing or the phosphate-free variant of the beta-amyloid peptides like a key into the lock.“ In conjunction with special staining techniques it was possible to show exactly where phosphate-containing or phosphate-free deposits were located in the brains of the investigated mice of different ages.

Possibility of developing biomarkers for better recognizability
Based on the new findings could help the scientists „Now, biomarkers can be identified that help detect the onset of nerve cell deposition as the earliest stage of the disease.“ Until then, it was Dr. med. Sathish Kumar, however, still goes a long way, because first it must be demonstrated that the results from the mouse study are transferable to humans.

Four pillars of healthy lifestyle for the prevention of Alzheimer's
Even if the current study raises new hope for those affected - until new Alzheimer's drugs could hit the market, it may still take a while. Of course, even if the best way of life can not protect you from diseases in principle, there are a few things that every single person can do to actively reduce their personal risk for geriatric diseases. In this context, scientists repeatedly point to four well-known pillars of healthy lifestyle, which apply to every person: healthy diet, exercise, mental activity and a lively social life. (No)

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Picture: Slydgo