Alzheimer’s disease is a serious brain condition that slowly worsens over time. It affects millions of people around the world, mostly older adults. People with Alzheimer’s often have trouble remembering things, thinking clearly, and doing everyday tasks. The disease happens because harmful substances build up in the brain.
These include sticky clumps called beta-amyloid plaques and twisted strands called tangles. Over time, they damage brain cells and lead to memory loss and confusion.
Scientists are working hard to find ways to detect Alzheimer’s early, even before memory problems begin. In a new study from the University of California San Diego, researchers may have found an early clue in the blood that could help. They discovered that high levels of an enzyme called PHGDH might be linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
PHGDH is an enzyme that helps make an important amino acid called serine. Serine is needed for the body to build proteins and keep brain cells working properly. The study found that in people with Alzheimer’s disease—and even in those who had no symptoms yet—PHGDH levels in the brain and blood were higher than normal.
To investigate this, the scientists looked at genetic information from brain tissue donated by people who had passed away. These people were part of four different research groups and were all aged 50 or older. The groups included individuals who had Alzheimer’s, people who showed no symptoms but were at risk, and healthy adults.
In every group, the researchers found that those with Alzheimer’s or at risk for it had more PHGDH in their brains than the healthy participants. The more advanced the disease, the higher the PHGDH levels were. This pattern was also seen in lab mice that were used to model Alzheimer’s disease.
The scientists also noticed a link between PHGDH and thinking ability. People who had worse scores on memory and thinking tests had higher levels of PHGDH. This means that the more PHGDH there is, the more likely someone may be experiencing brain problems.
These findings have raised some concerns about using serine supplements. Some people have taken serine hoping it could help slow down memory loss or prevent Alzheimer’s. Clinical trials are even testing whether serine can be helpful.
But this new research suggests that the body might already be making too much serine in Alzheimer’s, which means taking even more might not be helpful—and could even make things worse.
This is not the first time the research team has looked at PHGDH. In an earlier study, they found that this enzyme might be useful as a “biomarker.” A biomarker is something you can measure in the body that helps detect a disease.
The current study strengthens that idea and shows that checking PHGDH levels in the blood might be a way to identify people who are at risk of getting Alzheimer’s before they even show symptoms.
Although these results are promising, the researchers say more studies are needed. They want to better understand how PHGDH and serine are involved in Alzheimer’s and whether blocking this process might help. There is still no cure for Alzheimer’s, but finding early signs like PHGDH could help doctors catch the disease sooner and treat it earlier.
While scientists continue their research, there are still ways to lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Exercising often can help keep the brain healthy. A good diet—especially one like the Mediterranean diet that includes fruits, vegetables, nuts, and olive oil—may protect the brain.
Staying mentally active through reading, games, or social activities is also helpful. Managing health problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol can also reduce the risk.
This important study was led by Sheng Zhong and published in the journal Cell Metabolism. It offers hope that we are getting closer to finding better ways to detect and possibly prevent Alzheimer’s disease in the future.
If you care about Alzheimer’s disease, please read studies about vitamin D deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s and dementia, and strawberries can be good defence against Alzheimer’s.
For more health information, please see recent studies about foods that reduce Alzheimer’s risk, and oral cannabis extract may help reduce Alzheimer’s symptoms.
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