Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most feared illnesses of old age. It slowly damages memory, thinking, and the ability to live independently. The disease mainly affects older adults and is the most common cause of dementia worldwide.
In many countries, including Singapore, a large number of people over the age of 60 live with some form of dementia, placing emotional and financial strain on families and healthcare systems.
For decades, scientists have searched for the exact cause of Alzheimer’s. One of the most widely accepted ideas has been that the disease begins when a sticky substance called amyloid-beta builds up in the brain.
This substance forms clumps known as plaques, which interfere with communication between brain cells and eventually lead to cell death. Many treatments have focused on removing these plaques, but success has been limited, and no cure has been found.
In recent years, a different explanation has begun to gain attention. Some researchers now believe the problem may start much earlier, with the way cells produce and use energy. Inside every cell are tiny structures called mitochondria.
These structures act like power stations, producing the energy cells need to function. If mitochondria stop working properly, cells cannot maintain their normal activities and may begin to fail.
A study from Yale-NUS College has provided strong evidence supporting this new idea. The researchers discovered that problems with cellular energy appeared long before amyloid plaques became visible.
In other words, energy failure inside cells may be one of the earliest warning signs of Alzheimer’s. This suggests that focusing on restoring healthy energy production could help prevent or slow the disease before serious brain damage occurs.
To explore this possibility, scientists used a tiny worm known as Caenorhabditis elegans. Although simple, this organism shares many biological processes with humans and is widely used in medical research. The worms allowed the team to observe how energy problems develop over time and how they affect health and lifespan.
One of the most surprising findings involved a common diabetes medication called Metformin. When worms with energy problems were treated with this drug, their cellular energy levels returned to normal.
The treated worms also lived longer and remained healthier than untreated worms. This suggests that improving the way cells produce energy could have powerful protective effects.
The discovery points to a new direction for Alzheimer’s research. Instead of focusing only on removing plaques after they appear, scientists may aim to keep cells healthy from the start by protecting their energy systems. This approach could also apply to other diseases linked to aging, since many age-related conditions involve declining cellular function.
The study, led by Jan Gruber and published in the journal eLife, highlights how closely brain health is tied to overall body health. It suggests that keeping cells energized and functioning properly may be one of the best ways to preserve memory and thinking ability as people grow older.
Although more research is needed before these findings can be applied to humans, the study offers hope. By understanding the earliest changes that lead to Alzheimer’s, scientists may one day develop treatments that stop the disease before it begins.
Taking care of our bodies, supporting healthy aging, and maintaining strong cellular function could be key steps toward protecting the brain in later life.
If you care about Alzheimer’s disease, please read studies that bad lifestyle habits can cause Alzheimer’s disease, and strawberries can be good defence against Alzheimer’s.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies that oral cannabis extract may help reduce Alzheimer’s symptoms, and Vitamin E may help prevent Parkinson’s disease.
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