The Caring Corner®
Why Do Some Get Alzheimer’s and Some Don’t?
Alzheimer’s disease affects millions of people throughout the world. Currently, there is no cure and very few treatments. Scientists are making new discoveries every day. Interestingly, one sign of a person with Alzheimer’s Is the amyloid plaque build-up in the brain. However, the same plaque deposits have been found in people without dementia or memory impairment. Scientists have wondered why do some develop Alzheimer’s and others do not?
Researchers have been using cytometry, a laser based technology that suspends cells in fluids and passes them through an electronic detection apparatus. This technology allows them to see large populations of synapses compared to only two under a microscope. This is one of the first studies to look at disease progression in the synapses or impulses in the brain cells. One of the findings in the study revealed a higher concentration of oligomers in patients with dementia whereas some patients with amyloid plaque build-up had no dementia. The study revealed that there is an association between the oligomer buildup and the development of Alzheimer’s. Scientists want to develop therapies to target the synaptic amyloid beta oligomers to keep the disease from progressing.
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