Alzheimer’s disease is a widespread problem among elderly people globally, and it is a leading cause of dementia. In Singapore, one out of every ten people aged 60 or older is believed to suffer from dementia.
Despite over twenty years of research, scientists have struggled to pinpoint the exact causes of Alzheimer’s and have not yet found a proven treatment.
There are currently two main theories explaining the cause of Alzheimer’s disease. The first theory suggests that the accumulation of a specific protein known as amyloid-beta protein in the brain is the primary cause.
The second, more recent theory proposes that metabolic dysfunction, particularly issues with the cell’s energy-producing machinery called mitochondria, is responsible.
Researchers at Yale-NUS College conducted a study to investigate these theories. They found that metabolic defects occur well before a significant increase in the amount of amyloid-beta protein can be detected in the brain.
To study these changes, the researchers used a tiny worm called Caenorhabditis elegans. This worm shares many similarities with human cells at the molecular level, making it a useful model for this research.
A breakthrough came when the researchers treated the worms with a common anti-diabetes medication called Metformin. This treatment reversed the metabolic defects in the worms and improved their healthspan and lifespan.
This discovery suggests that targeting metabolic defects, especially those related to mitochondria, could be a more effective preventative strategy for Alzheimer’s disease. Treating these defects early, well before protein aggregates are even present, might be the key to combating this disease.
The study also highlights the connection between metabolic and mitochondrial dysfunctions and the aging process in general.
It suggests that these dysfunctions should be considered fundamental features of aging, and age-dependent diseases, including Alzheimer’s, should be seen as manifestations of aging itself.
This insight raises the possibility of preventing or treating age-dependent diseases by targeting the mechanisms of aging rather than waiting for individual diseases to develop symptoms.
In conclusion, researchers at Yale-NUS College have made significant progress in understanding Alzheimer’s disease.
Their study indicates that metabolic dysfunction plays a crucial role in the development of the disease and that addressing these issues early may be the key to prevention and treatment.
This groundbreaking research provides hope for the future in the fight against Alzheimer’s and other age-dependent diseases. The study was conducted by Jan Gruber and his team and published in the scientific journal eLife.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about vitamin D deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, and higher magnesium intake could help benefit brain health.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about antioxidants that could help reduce dementia risk, and coconut oil could help improve cognitive function in Alzheimer’s.
Copyright © 2024 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
