A team of researchers suggests that Alzheimer’s disease could be linked to poor oxygenation of the brain due to dysfunction of the vascular system.
- A British study reveals that Alzheimer’s disease could be linked to poor oxygenation of the brain due to dysfunction of the vascular system.
- Researchers have observed a higher respiratory frequency in affected patients, suggesting a possible brain inflammation.
- This non -invasive approach, combining oxygenation and brain activity measures, opens up new perspectives for the detection and treatment of the disease.
An experimental study conducted by the University of Lancaster, in the United Kingdom, highlights a new key factor in neurodegeneration associated with Alzheimer’s disease: the disturbance of brain oxygenation and its neuronal functioning. Published in the journal Brain Communicationsthis research provides solid evidence on the involvement of neurovascular dynamics in this disease.
Biased cooperation between the brain and the vascular system
Although the brain represents only 2 % of body weight, it consumes up to 20 % of the total energy of the body, making a blood circulation optimal essential to its proper functioning. However, according to the team of researchers, Alzheimer’s disease could result from an insufficient contribution of nutrients to the brain due to poor vascular system coordination.
The key concept of this study is that of “Neurovascular unit” (NVU), a complex network where blood vessels, brain cells called astrocytes and neurons interact to ensure sufficient energy intake. To assess its operation, the researchers used a combination of non -invasive measures of the brain blood circulation and the electrical activity of the brain.
Scientists observed notable differences between the participants in the study. One of the most intriguing results concern the respiratory frequency at rest: patients with Alzheimer’s disease presented on average 17 respirations per minute against 13 in the control group.
New therapeutic tracks against Alzheimer’s
“It is a discovery that could revolutionize the study of the disease, they say in a press release. Indeed, this significantly higher respiratory frequency in subjects with Alzheimer’s suffering could reflect an inflammatory state, perhaps in the brain, which once detected, could be treated to prevent severe forms of the disease. “
Researchers add that these results could open the way to new therapeutic strategies: “With the failures of drug tests targeting proteins, the vascular system and the neurovascular unit represent promising targets for future treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.”
The new approach, simple and non -invasive, can also offer new perspectives in terms of pathology detection. By simultaneously measuring the oxygenation of blood, the electrical activity of the brain, breathing and heart rate, the researchers were able to analyze the coherence and the power of physiological rhythms. However, poor synchronization of these rhythms seems to be a distinctive marker of Alzheimer’s disease. “If additional research is necessary, this method has enormous potential”conclude the authors.
