In France, 850,000 people are affected by Alzheimer’s disease : 250,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. In all, 3 million people are affected (directly or indirectly) by this so-called “neuro-degenerative” brain condition since it causes a gradual disappearance of neurons*.
Researchers at the Laval Faculty of Pharmacy (Canada) have just discovered a new factor that could promote the onset of symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease: temperature. “We know that people’s body temperature decreases with age, partly because the metabolism slows down” explains Pr. Frédéric Calon, main author of this work published in the specialized journal Neurobiology of Aging.
The researchers worked from two groups of mice. The first group (genetically modified) was affected by Alzheimer’s disease: the rodents presented cerebral degeneration and memory problems 6 months after the appearance of the pathology. The second group was healthy.
The ideal temperature: 28°C
Result: scientists first noticed that mice affected by Alzheimer’s disease had more difficulty than others in maintaining their body temperature – the difference reached an average of 1°C. In addition, the symptoms of the disease (memory lapses, loss of landmarks in space and time, difficulties in oral or written expression) tended to increase when the sick mice were exposed to low temperatures.
“However, it is not irreversible, explains Pr. Frédéric Calon. Thus, we immersed the sick mice in an environment at 28°C: after one week, the level of beta-amyloid (a harmful peptide for the nervous system) had decreased and the results of the tests for memory were better.”
“If our findings are confirmed, this could have an impact on the living conditions of patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Raising the temperature of the living environment (for example by turning up the heating in the bedroom) is a small gesture that could have positive consequences.”
*source : http://www.francealzheimer.org
