amyloid plaque | Wellness Secrets of a SuperAger

New research from the University of Cincinnati bolsters a hypothesis that Alzheimer’s disease is caused by a decline in levels of a specific protein, contrary to a prevailing theory that has been recently called into question.

UC researchers led by Alberto Espay, MD, and Andrea Sturchio, MD, in collaboration with the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, published the research on Oct. 4 in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Questioning the dominant hypothesis

The research is focused on a protein called amyloid-beta. The protein normally carries out its functions in the brain in a form that is soluble, meaning dissolvable in water, but it sometimes hardens into clumps, known as amyloid plaques.

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Regular readers know that I have a particular interest in Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia as I have lost several family members to them. I am 76 years old and want to maintain my mental faculties through my senior years. That’s one of the reasons I stress exercise and its positive influence on the brain so often on the blog. See my Page – Important facts about your brain (and exercise benefits) for more.

So I was thrilled to learn that UCLA has some positive news on that front.

A study by researchers at UCLA’s Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior has found that a healthy diet, regular physical activity and a normal body mass index can reduce the incidence of protein build-ups that are associated with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. (my emphasis) Continue reading →