Alzheimer’s disease affects millions worldwide and progresses as it damages the brain, leading to memory loss and cognitive decline. It’s often identified by two key brain changes: the buildup of beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.
However, a recent development at the University of California San Diego might help in diagnosing the disease earlier than ever before.
Researchers at UC San Diego have found that high levels of an enzyme called PHGDH in the blood could serve as an early indicator of Alzheimer’s disease. This enzyme is critical in producing serine, an amino acid necessary for brain health and protein synthesis.
Typically, increased levels of PHGDH might suggest an escalated production of serine in the brain, a pattern noticed in Alzheimer’s patients.
The study involved examining genetic data from the brains of deceased individuals who had participated in research while alive, encompassing Alzheimer’s patients, asymptomatic individuals, and healthy controls.
The researchers noticed consistently higher PHGDH levels in both Alzheimer’s patients and those who showed no symptoms yet had the disease, compared to healthy individuals.
This pattern held true across four different research groups and even mirrored findings in Alzheimer’s disease models in mice.
A fascinating aspect of the research was the relationship between cognitive performance and PHGDH levels. Individuals with poorer cognitive scores tended to have higher PHGDH expression, indicating the enzyme’s potential as a predictive biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease.
Interestingly, the findings pose questions about the use of serine supplements, which are sometimes considered for Alzheimer’s prevention or treatment.
With evidence of increased serine production already in Alzheimer’s patients, additional serine might not be beneficial and could potentially be counterproductive.
The discovery of PHGDH as a potential biomarker was not entirely new, as previous studies hinted at its relevance.
However, this research solidifies its role, suggesting that measuring PHGDH levels in the blood could be a valuable tool for early diagnosis and possibly for monitoring the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Given the absence of a cure, preventing Alzheimer’s is crucial. Strategies such as regular exercise, maintaining a balanced diet (especially one resembling the Mediterranean diet), keeping mentally active, and managing chronic health conditions can all contribute to lowering the risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
This study, led by Sheng Zhong and his team and published in Cell Metabolism, not only advances our understanding of Alzheimer’s but also emphasizes the importance of cautious and informed approaches to treatments like dietary supplements.
As research continues, the role of enzymes like PHGDH and amino acids like serine in Alzheimer’s disease will become clearer, potentially leading to more effective interventions and preventative measures.
If you care about Alzheimer’s, please read studies about Vitamin D deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, and Oral cannabis extract may help reduce Alzheimer’s symptoms.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about Vitamin B9 deficiency linked to higher dementia risk, and results showing flavonoid-rich foods could improve survival in Parkinson’s disease.
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