Alzheimer’s disease is a serious brain illness that slowly damages memory and thinking.
Over time, people with Alzheimer’s can even lose the ability to do simple tasks like dressing or eating on their own. This condition affects millions of people all over the world, and sadly, there is no cure yet.
The disease happens when harmful proteins build up in the brain. These include beta-amyloid plaques and twisted fibers called tangles. Together, they damage brain cells and stop them from working properly.
Scientists have been working hard to find ways to detect Alzheimer’s early—before symptoms like memory loss become obvious. Catching it early could give doctors a chance to slow it down.
Now, a new study from the University of California San Diego may have found a useful early clue. Researchers there studied an enzyme called PHGDH. This enzyme helps the body make an important building block called serine. Serine helps the brain grow and stay healthy.
In this study, the researchers found that people with higher levels of PHGDH in their blood were more likely to have Alzheimer’s disease. This was true even for some people who had not yet started showing symptoms. That means PHGDH could act like an early warning sign.
To figure this out, scientists looked at brain samples from people in four different research groups. Each group had 40 to 50 people, all aged 50 or older. The people in the study included those with Alzheimer’s, some with no signs of memory loss, and some who were completely healthy.
The results showed that people with Alzheimer’s or early signs of it had more PHGDH in their brains. Surprisingly, even people who still felt healthy but had high levels of this enzyme were likely in the early stages of the disease.
The study also showed that as the disease got worse, the PHGDH levels kept going up. This pattern was also seen in mice that had been bred to have Alzheimer’s-like symptoms.
People with poor memory test results also had more PHGDH, which suggests that this enzyme may be linked to how serious the disease is.
Because of this, the researchers think that testing PHGDH levels in the blood could help doctors spot Alzheimer’s early—before memory problems start. But they also gave a warning. Since PHGDH helps make serine, and since high PHGDH may be harmful in Alzheimer’s, taking serine as a supplement could actually make things worse.
Some people believe serine supplements might protect the brain, and clinical trials are testing this. But based on this new study, the scientists say we should be careful. More research is needed before anyone can say if these supplements are safe or helpful.
The research, led by Dr. Sheng Zhong, was published in the journal *Cell Metabolism*. It adds new information to our growing knowledge of how Alzheimer’s starts and what we might be able to do about it.
While there is still no cure for Alzheimer’s, there are steps people can take to protect their brain health. Getting regular exercise, eating healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and olive oil, and staying mentally active by reading or doing puzzles may all help. Taking care of other health problems like high blood pressure or diabetes can also lower the risk.
This study gives hope that doctors may one day have better ways to detect and treat Alzheimer’s early. But for now, it reminds us to be cautious and to keep learning more about this complex disease.
If you care about Alzheimer’s disease, please read studies about New Alzheimer’s treatment: anti-inflammatory drug may prevent memory loss and findings of The diabetes drug surprise: a possible shield against Alzheimer’s?
For more information about brain health, please read studies about Scientists find connection between fungus and Alzheimer’s disease and findings of Scientists find links between COVID-19 and Alzheimer’s disease.
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