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Scientists may have found how Alzheimer's kills brain cells
16 days ago
- Researchers identified a previously overlooked brain cell death mechanism called karyoptosis, which may explain neuron loss in Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia.
- The study found evidence of karyoptosis in 35% of brain cells from Alzheimer's patients versus 15% in healthy older adults, linking toxic protein buildup to nuclear disintegration.
- A key molecular pathway involving p38 MAP kinase and LaminB1 was uncovered; blocking these reduced karyoptosis markers in rat neurons, suggesting a potential therapeutic target.
- The findings could lead to new treatments aimed at slowing cell death by targeting this pathway, potentially widening the window for disease-modifying therapies in dementia.
Rare Autopsy Finds Alzheimer's Drugs Only Work in Some Parts of the Brain
6 days ago
- A rare brain autopsy study shows that the discontinued Alzheimer's drug aducanumab did not fully clear amyloid-beta plaques and tau tangles in all brain regions, potentially explaining its limited effectiveness.
- The case suggests anti-amyloid therapies may help reduce tau accumulation and slow brain atrophy in some regions, offering human evidence for the relationship between amyloid removal and neurodegeneration.
- Despite aducanumab's failure, some researchers believe targeting amyloid early could still be beneficial, but other scientists question its direct causal link to improving cognition in Alzheimer's patients.
- Recent reviews of clinical trials indicate that anti-amyloid drugs lack clinically meaningful positive effects in patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia, raising doubts about the amyloid-focused approach.
Inhaling high-dose CO2 clears Alzheimer's proteins from the brain
a day ago
- Intermittent inhalation of high carbon dioxide for 30 minutes flushes Alzheimer's-linked proteins from the brain by mimicking deep sleep's vascular pumping action.
- The method activates the glymphatic system, which removes waste like beta-amyloid and tau, potentially benefiting conditions like Parkinson's by clearing alpha-synuclein.
- A study with 12 participants showed increased blood levels of beta-amyloid post-intervention, suggesting enhanced brain clearance, but benefits returned to baseline after about an hour.
- Safety appears favorable with no side effects, and future research will explore long-term impacts, frequency needs, and potential portable home devices for broader applications.

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#alzheimer's research

Scientists may have found how Alzheimer's kills brain cells

Rare Autopsy Finds Alzheimer's Drugs Only Work in Some Parts of the Brain

Inhaling high-dose CO2 clears Alzheimer's proteins from the brain