Metallic deposits of copper and iron have been observed in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Their presence would participate in the degeneration of neurons.
- Metallic deposits of copper and iron are present in the amyloid plaques of people with Alzheimer’s disease.
- Ultimately, this discovery could make it possible to better diagnose the pathology and to develop targeted treatments.
More than a million people have Alzheimer’s disease in France, according to theHealth Insurance. It is the most common neurodegenerative pathology in France. It is mainly characterized by memory impairment due to the progressive and irreversible damage to the brain caused by the loss of nerve cells.
Amyloid plaque lesions and neurofibrillary degeneration
Patients with Alzheimer’s disease have two types of lesions that destroy their neurons: that of amyloid plaques around the neurons and neurofibrillary degeneration. The first is due to amyloid beta protein. This is naturally present in the brain, but when it accumulates outside the neurons, it forms amyloid plaques which are toxic for the neurons. The second type of lesion, neurofibrillary degeneration, is caused by the Tau protein. It is also naturally present in the body, but in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, this protein is modified. Thus, it disorganizes the structure of neurons and produces neurofibrillary degeneration which leads to their death.
Copper and iron deposits on amyloid plaques…
A team of researchers has just discovered the presence of metallic deposits, of copper and iron, of a few nanometers in these amyloid plaques. Their study was published in Science Advances. For this, they used a state-of-the-art microscopy technique with X-rays. Nevertheless, scientists have not been able to determine the exact reason for the presence of these elements. Among the hypotheses considered, they suggest that these metallic deposits could be linked to copper and iron in ionic form naturally present in the human body.
…which increases oxidative stress
In neurodegenerative pathologies, oxidative stress is one of the phenomena explaining the death of neurons. It can be defined as an attack on cells by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Normally, ROS are destroyed by antioxidant molecules, but their production is impaired in the event of oxidative stress. Thus, the ROS multiply, which explains the damage caused to the neurons. According to the researchers, the deposits of copper and iron observed in amyloid plaques could increase the level of this oxidative stress already present in people with Alzheimer’s disease and thus aggravate the degeneration of neurons. Thanks to their study, the scientists hope that in the long term, the early detection of these metallic deposits will make it possible to detect Alzheimer’s disease. In the future, work could also be carried out to develop a therapy targeted at these deposits in amyloid plaques. Thus, brain degeneration could be delayed.
Alzheimer’s disease affects 15% of people aged over 80 in France, according to theNational Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm). Currently, there is no treatment that can prevent, cure or stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
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