Research over the past decade has revealed a lot about Alzheimer’s disease progression. Alzheimer’s starts with an abnormal accumulation of a “sticky” protein, beta amyloid, also referred to as ABeta, in the brain. However, the presence of the ABeta does not, in itself, cause Alzheimer’s symptoms. Researchers know that something else occurs once ABeta accumulates that starts an inflammatory process. It is this inflammatory process that results in the breakdown of neurons and the elimination of synapses in the brain, creating the cognitive deficits associated with Alzheimer’s. What researchers have yet to discover is what causes the inflammatory response.
As reported in this week’s edition of Nature Neuroscience, Cleveland Clinic is studying a new approach to preventing the brain inflammation which seems to be at the root of Alzheimer’s disease. It is focused on a compound known as MDA7.
Take a look at our latest blog post on the findings and what this means within the Alzheimer's research community here: http://whiteoakcottages.com/cleveland-clinic-focuses-on-anti-inflammatory-drug-compound/