There’s never been a more optimistic time in the world of Alzheimer’s research than we are currently experiencing, and new developments seem to be emerging every few moments. The latest findings are slated to have a huge impact in the quest for treatments and a cure: the correlation between Alzheimer’s and the body’s natural immune response to infections.
While Alzheimer’s researchers have been focusing on the relationship of beta amyloid protein and Alzheimer’s, now they are seeing that beta amyloid has the ability to destroy infections in mice. Some drug trials have tried to get rid of this bacteria-fighting protein, which could be dangerous if beta amyloid works similarly in humans.
If this theory is accurate, the logical supposition is that Alzheimer’s is activated by an over-reactive immune response to a virus, causing problems in older brains that cannot handle the overload.
While still inconclusive, the findings coincide with what we already know about the importance of exercise, proper sleep and a healthy diet, expanding those benefits into the realm of potentially preventing Alzheimer’s. This new Alzheimer’s research also paves the way for other possible treatment options, such as inflammatory reduction medications and vaccines.
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