Alzheimer’s Disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive memory loss, cognitive decline, and eventual impairment in daily living tasks. According to the National Alzheimer’s Association, more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s Disease, with it being the 6th leading cause of death in the United States. Though there is currently no known cure due to the complexity in understanding this disease, treatments for symptoms are available to slow the progression and onset of the disease
Past Research
Previously, research has focused mainly on the beta-amyloid plaques found in brain tissue of patients’ brains at autopsy or in brain-imaging studies. These plaques are insoluble aggregates of the A-beta protein and have been thought to contribute to the cell death and neuronal loss in the brain. Recent literature, though, has identified plaques as not directly toxic and are often found in patients without any cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease. Similarly, recent research has found that Alzheimer’s Disease starts long before the beta-amyloid plaques even begin to appear, almost 10-20 years before symptoms appear.
How is this possible?
Research is now pointing to the smaller soluble clumps of A-beta, called oligomers, as the toxic component of the disease. In the presymptomatic stage of Alzheimer’s Disease, beta-amyloid clumps begin to form in particular brain regions. Though the exact effects of the oligomers on the brain are not fully known, the leading hypothesis suggests that the oligomers affect neuronal connections at the synapse so that it is harder for the brain to form new memories and recall old ones. Eventually in the progression of the disease, the oligomers go on to form the larger, insoluble plaques. However, once the plaques are formed, the disease has often reached its worst and there is little that can be done to help.
So what can you do?
Today there are efforts being made worldwide to increase our knowledge on preventative techniques to delay the onset and prevent Alzheimer’s Disease from developing altogether. Although many risk factors such as aging and genetics cannot be changed, other risk factors such high blood pressure and lack of exercise can be changed to help prevent Alzheimer’s Disease. Here are few ideas for those of you ready to make change:
- Stay Active
- Regular exercise serves many benefits for our overall health. Concerning Alzheimer’s Disease, it is important in reducing the vascular risk factors that can contribute to brain cell loss and damage. Exercise may also directly benefit the brain by increasing oxygen and blood flow.
- Eat a Healthy Diet
- Recently research has identified a link between obesity and diabetes to Alzheimer’s Disease. It is important then, that we start to eat healthier diets to prevent some of the co-occurring diseases.
- Keep Mentally Active
- A number of studies suggest that keeping mentally active by partaking in intellectual and cognitive exercises can curb the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease. Though scientists are not certain of the exact association between the two, it is known that with mental stimulation comes the strengthening of connections between nerve cells in the brain.
