And if Alzheimer’s disease had been misunderstood for 30 years? According to a new study published by Dr Rudy Tanzi and Robert Moir, two researchers at Harvard School of Medicine (USA), the beta-amyloid protein plaques present in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease and which were considered to be responsible for the disease, would in fact have a positive role in controlling the disease. According to doctors, this discovery would explain why drugs that target this protein have never slowed the progression of the disease.
The disease is said to be triggered by an immune response
This new study is the first to investigate the anti-microbial action of beta-amyloid proteins. The latter would gather in plaques to kill the microbes by breaking their cellular bet. “Our results raise the possibility that Alzheimer’s disease is triggered by an immune response when the brain feels like it is under attack from invading pathogens.” underline the doctors.
From this perspective, treatments that aim to get rid of beta-amyloids would not be appropriate.
This study also supports the idea that regular exercises, quality sleep and a healthy diet can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. “Because if our quality of life allows the brain to function properly, it will be able to fight infections without reacting excessively and inflammatory“.
This study was published in the journal Science translational medicine.
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