General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsStudy shows where Alzheimer's starts and how it spreads
Using high-resolution functional MRI (fMRI) imaging in patients with Alzheimer's disease and in mouse models of the disease, Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) researchers have clarified three fundamental issues about Alzheimer's: where it starts, why it starts there, and how it spreads. In addition to advancing understanding of Alzheimer's, the findings could improve early detection of the disease, when drugs may be most effective. The study was published today in the online edition of the journal Nature Neuroscience.
"It has been known for years that Alzheimer's starts in a brain region known as the entorhinal cortex," said co-senior author Scott A. Small, MD, Boris and Rose Katz Professor of Neurology, professor of radiology, and director of the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. "But this study is the first to show in living patients that it begins specifically in the lateral entorhinal cortex, or LEC. The LEC is considered to be a gateway to the hippocampus, which plays a key role in the consolidation of long-term memory, among other functions. If the LEC is affected, other aspects of the hippocampus will also be affected."
The study also shows that, over time, Alzheimer's spreads from the LEC directly to other areas of the cerebral cortex, in particular, the parietal cortex, a brain region involved in various functions, including spatial orientation and navigation. The researchers suspect that Alzheimer's spreads "functionally," that is, by compromising the function of neurons in the LEC, which then compromises the integrity of neurons in adjoining areas.
A third major finding of the study is that LEC dysfunction occurs when changes in tau and amyloid precursor protein (APP) co-exist. "The LEC is especially vulnerable to Alzheimer's because it normally accumulates tau, which sensitizes the LEC to the accumulation of APP. Together, these two proteins damage neurons in the LEC, setting the stage for Alzheimer's," said co-senior author Karen E. Duff, PhD, professor of pathology and cell biology (in psychiatry and in the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain) at CUMC and at the New York State Psychiatric Institute.
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-12-alzheimer.html#ajTabs
Delphinus
(11,840 posts)and posting this!
Live and Learn
(12,769 posts)flygal
(3,231 posts)R. Daneel Olivaw
(12,606 posts)Last edited Wed Dec 25, 2013, 11:27 AM - Edit history (1)
a cure for Alzheimer's and other diseases of the brain we would be on our way to finding a cure.
But bumbled drone strikes, presidential kill lists, and a bloated MIC kill machine are more important I guess.
RC
(25,592 posts)My mother died of dementia, which is similar to Alzheimer's.
R. Daneel Olivaw
(12,606 posts)So you understand what it is like to lose them twice.
LiberalEsto
(22,845 posts)My mother-in-law had it too. She passed away 10 years ago, but it feels like we lost her about 15 years ago.
JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)TomClash
(11,344 posts)And that money could be used for medicine, science and technology.
I won't names any names.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Response to madokie (Original post)
elocs This message was self-deleted by its author.
asjr
(10,479 posts)that horrible disease. Her actions began when she was around 65. Each time I do not remember something I should I worry. I am 81 years old and maybe if I am going to succumb to it I will, like Mother, not know it.
R. Daneel Olivaw
(12,606 posts)He died on the 6th.
madokie
(51,076 posts)Loosing your Dad is a difficult time too.
R. Daneel Olivaw
(12,606 posts)asjr
(10,479 posts)WinkyDink
(51,311 posts)are REALLY pushing for a nursing home, and only the county-run place would be affordable for 20 years! He is 73.
Response to WinkyDink (Reply #15)
elocs This message was self-deleted by its author.
asjr
(10,479 posts)davidpdx
(22,000 posts)Hopefully this leads to better detection and treatment for those diagnosed with it.
Response to davidpdx (Reply #6)
elocs This message was self-deleted by its author.
niyad
(113,513 posts)madokie
(51,076 posts)long before it was recognized as it is today. I was single so I spent several years helping to take care of her at night when everyone else was gone. I'm a guy and it was like I had a baby to take care of in that the slightest sound from her and I'd wake up no matter how long I'd been asleep. luckily for the most part all I had to do was hold her hand in reassurance that I was there and she'd drift back off to sleep.
I miss my Mom and its been 33 years. She never judged nor had any doubts about me and I knew that all those years she was raising me, rather she lead me to be the person I am today.
Do you ever get over your Mother? I don't think I will.
Merry Christmas to you all
Peace
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)The pain eases, and you can again look at pictures without breaking down, but you never get over it. I was one of the only people that my mother would talk politics with, since we both had the same opinions and she hated to be disagreeable. With a family full of conservatives, I miss her so much.
karynnj
(59,504 posts)Rozlee
(2,529 posts)My husband is a sufferer and the article is very informative.
Tree-Hugger
(3,370 posts)She had Alzheimer's. She was in a home for the last 6 or so years. It's a horrible disease. I was mourning the loss of her long before she dies.
I also worked in home health and hospice care long ago. Most of my patients had Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. Such terrifyingly sad diseases. I want a cure, yesterday.
tweeternik
(255 posts)tblue37
(65,477 posts)recently discovered links between diabetes and Alzheimer's, suggesting that both could be symptoms of the same underlying problem.
Isoldeblue
(1,135 posts)available for a myriad of reasons.
http://www.theweedblog.com/new-study-cannabis-can-slow-cure-alzheimers-disease/|
mindwalker_i
(4,407 posts)Systematic Chaos
(8,601 posts)One hot tip: stay the fuck away.
Aluminum cookware, aluminum cans, aluminum whatever. Don't put it anywhere near your mouth and don't eat or drink anything contained in or cooked in it.
ladyVet
(1,587 posts)My biggest fear is getting this disease. It used to be going blind, but that pales in comparison to losing one's mental abilities. I plan to take myself out while I still can, should I be diagnosed.
I already avoid aluminum as much as possible, and plastics too (stopped using them in the microwave years ago!).
My sympathies to all who have lost family to this horrible disease. You really do lose them twice.