New Study Reveals Two-Stage Brain Damage in Alzheimer’s Disease
Researchers supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have discovered that Alzheimer’s disease may damage the brain in two distinct stages. The first stage occurs slowly and silently, affecting only a few vulnerable cell types before memory issues arise. The second stage is marked by rapid damage and the onset of symptoms, including the accumulation of plaques and tangles.
Early Detection and New Insights
Richard J. Hodes, M.D., director of the NIH National Institute on Aging, highlighted the importance of detecting early changes in the brain, which could lead to new treatments. The study, published in Nature Neuroscience, analyzed the brains of 84 individuals and found that damage to inhibitory neurons in the early phase may trigger neural circuit problems.
Advanced Genetic Analysis
Scientists used advanced genetic tools to study the middle temporal gyrus, a brain area controlling language, memory, and vision. They compared data from Alzheimer’s patients with control donors to create a timeline of the disease’s progression. The study suggests that Alzheimer’s changes the brain in two phases, with early changes happening quietly before symptoms appear.
New Findings and Future Research
The research also identified new changes during the disease, including the surprising finding that Alzheimer’s affects inhibitory neurons, which send calming signals. A separate study by MIT researchers found that the gene REELIN and astrocytes may play roles in neuron vulnerability and resilience.
The study was part of the Seattle Alzheimer’s Disease Brain Cell Atlas project, led by Mariano I. Gabitto, Ph.D., and Kyle J. Travaglini, Ph.D., from the Allen Institute. The research utilized tools from the NIH’s BRAIN Initiative to study over 3.4 million brain cells from donors at various Alzheimer’s stages.
John Ngai, Ph.D., director of The BRAIN Initiative, emphasized the impact of new technologies in understanding Alzheimer’s, which may aid in developing targeted diagnostics and treatments.
Doubts Revealed
NIH -: NIH stands for the National Institutes of Health. It is a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is responsible for medical research to improve health.
Alzheimer’s Disease -: Alzheimer’s Disease is a condition that affects the brain, causing memory loss and confusion. It usually happens in older people and gets worse over time.
Two-Stage Brain Damage -: This means that the brain gets damaged in two different steps. The first step is slow and doesn’t show symptoms, while the second step happens quickly and causes noticeable problems.
Nature Neuroscience -: Nature Neuroscience is a scientific journal where researchers publish their findings about the brain and nervous system.
Inhibitory Neurons -: Inhibitory neurons are special brain cells that help control and balance brain activity. They make sure the brain doesn’t get too excited.
Seattle Alzheimer’s Disease Brain Cell Atlas -: This is a project that collects detailed information about brain cells affected by Alzheimer’s Disease. It helps scientists understand the disease better and find new treatments.
