A couple of years ago we wrote here:
…….. a terrible disease is sweeping across the world. In the UK alone there are 209 600 new cases per year. One in 14 of people over 65 are sufferers. Readers in any country in the world will soon find comparable statistics (LSS 21 1 2020)
Alzheimer’s disease, a subset of dementia, is one of those intriguing mysteries which stubbornly refuses to yield up a solution, despite the best efforts of researchers and noble organisations like the Alzheimer’s Society, whose excellent site is linked here[1]
Much of the burden of research has fallen on amyloid-beta proteins, and their relationship with the plaques which form in the brains of sufferers. Up to know, the plaques have been the villains of the piece. But are they? Now new research suggests that the amount of the proteins may be the key factor. It’s interesting research because it makes use of genetic studies on populations who experience higher levels of dementia and tries to tie this to levels of proteins and plaques. The Conversation [2] has three writers-up, which is a bit much to cite for a short blog like this one.
As we pointed out before, there are a number of competing hypotheses, and we don’t think a cure is coming tomorrow. But never forget, gentle readers, how research in one area can often have surprising benefits in others, as it all adds to the total of human knowledge. So, if you wanted to dip into your pocket and help a charity, it would do no harm.
We thank Mr Peter Seymour for this story
[1] https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/
[2]https://theconversation.com/alzheimers-disease-surprising-new-theory-about-what-might-cause-it-192143?utm_mediu
#dementia #alzheimer’s #proteins #plaques #neurology
Learning, Science and Society 