Researchers from Yale-NUS College have made a significant discovery that could change how we understand Alzheimer’s disease, a condition that affects memory and cognitive function, especially in older adults.
Alzheimer’s is the leading cause of dementia and the most common neurodegenerative disease globally. In Singapore alone, about one in ten people over 60 experience some form of dementia, with Alzheimer’s being a primary cause.
Despite years of global research, the exact causes of Alzheimer’s remain unclear, and there is still no cure.
Traditionally, scientists have focused on the buildup of amyloid-beta protein in the brain, which clumps together to form plaques, disrupting brain function and leading to the cognitive decline seen in Alzheimer’s patients.
However, a new theory suggests that Alzheimer’s may actually be linked to metabolic problems, particularly those involving mitochondria—the parts of cells that produce energy.
This latest study supports the idea that metabolic dysfunction might play a critical role in the development of Alzheimer’s. The researchers found evidence of metabolic issues long before there was any significant increase in amyloid-beta protein in their models.
This suggests that problems with the body’s energy production system could occur early on, before the typical brain plaques form. Addressing these metabolic problems might offer a way to prevent or treat Alzheimer’s more effectively.
To explore this further, the researchers used a tiny worm called Caenorhabditis elegans as a model. This simple organism is often used in scientific studies because it shares many molecular traits with humans, making it a good model for understanding human diseases.
In their experiments, the scientists observed metabolic problems in the worms that resembled those seen in Alzheimer’s disease.
One of the study’s most exciting findings was the effect of Metformin, a common drug used to treat diabetes. When the researchers treated the worms with Metformin, it reversed their metabolic problems and even extended their healthy lifespan.
This result hints that Metformin might help protect against some of the metabolic changes that contribute to Alzheimer’s, suggesting it could be a potential treatment for the disease in the future.
These findings are significant because they point to a different approach to fighting Alzheimer’s. Instead of waiting for the brain plaques to form and treating the disease after it has developed, researchers are now looking at ways to prevent Alzheimer’s by addressing the metabolic problems that may trigger it.
This approach aligns with a broader idea in medicine: that many diseases linked to aging, including Alzheimer’s, might be slowed or prevented by focusing on the biological processes of aging itself.
If scientists can understand and treat the metabolic and mitochondrial dysfunctions that occur with aging, they may be able to reduce the risk of not only Alzheimer’s but also other age-related diseases.
This preventive strategy could change how we approach many health issues that come with aging, putting a greater focus on early intervention and maintaining metabolic health throughout life.
Led by Jan Gruber and published in the journal eLife, this study challenges some of the old ideas about Alzheimer’s while offering a new direction for research. It emphasizes the importance of metabolic health in protecting brain function as we age.
By understanding how our body’s energy systems affect the brain, scientists may be able to develop new treatments that target the root causes of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, rather than just treating the symptoms after they appear.
This research underscores the interconnected nature of our body’s systems and highlights the need for a holistic approach in tackling complex diseases like Alzheimer’s.
By focusing on the bigger picture of aging and metabolism, we may be closer to finding more effective ways to protect brain health as we grow older.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about vitamin D deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, and blood pressure problem at night may increase Alzheimer’s risk.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about antioxidants that could help reduce dementia risk, and epilepsy drug may help treat Alzheimer’s disease.
Copyright © 2024 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
