{"id":5908,"date":"2018-06-25T13:41:53","date_gmt":"2018-06-25T13:41:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/braintest.com\/?post_type=kbe_knowledgebase&p=5908"},"modified":"2020-03-09T22:11:53","modified_gmt":"2020-03-09T22:11:53","slug":"team-scientists-made-another-breakthrough-alzheimers-research","status":"publish","type":"kbe_knowledgebase","link":"https:\/\/braintest.com\/team-scientists-made-another-breakthrough-alzheimers-research\/","title":{"rendered":"A Team of Scientists Have Made Another \u00abBreakthrough\u00bb In Alzheimer’s Research"},"content":{"rendered":"

Alzheimer\u2019s disease now affects approximately 5.7 million Americans. However, a new discovery may improve future treatment options. Referred to as a \u201cbreakthrough\u201d in Alzheimer\u2019s research, researchers now understand the\u00a0properties of the metals\u00a0that impact the progression of the disease.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A Major Alzheimer’s Discovery Could Support Future Treatment Options<\/span><\/h1>\n

An international team of researchers recently characterized iron species linked to plaques in the brain. These plaques are abnormal clusters of proteins, which result in toxicity and cell death.<\/p>\n

Upon studying brains impacted by Alzheimer\u2019s, the team found that a number of chemically-reduced iron species occur in these hallmark amyloid protein plaques. Not commonly found in the brain, these species include magnetite (a magnetic iron oxide).<\/p>\n

This discovery supports their previous findings, thanks to the latest technology. By using the Diamond Light Source 108 beamline located in Oxfordshire, the team found detailed evidence that these types of processes took place in the brains of people with Alzheimer\u2019s. These also used the Advanced Light Source in Berkeley (a state-of-the-art X-ray microscopy).<\/p>\n

The team observed the presence of both iron and calcium minerals in amyloid plaques. The team is suggesting that the interactions between amyloid and iron that form these iron species, may contribute to the level of toxicity associated with the development of Alzheimer\u2019s. <\/span><\/p>\n

By understanding how these metals relate to the progression of Alzheimer\u2019s, this could lead to the development of unique, effective therapies. <\/span>Their findings<\/span><\/a> were published in the journal <\/span>Nanoscale<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Link Between Iron and the Brain<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Image via Pixabay<\/p><\/div>\n

Iron is essential for a number of bodily functions, including your body\u2019s ability to produce oxygen-carrying red blood cells. However, iron deficiency is a major issue across the globe. As stated in <\/span>this review<\/span><\/a>, an average of 5.6 percent of the American population is anemic and an additional 1.5 percent met the criteria for moderate-severe anemia.<\/span><\/p>\n

Although anemia tends to be the most\u00a0well-known issue surrounding low iron levels, cognitive issues also occur. Associated with lower IQ and development delays in children, symptoms of an iron deficiency in adulthood are often neurological.<\/p>\n

Some of the most common signs of an iron deficiency include fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, and brain fog. This is due to issues with neurotransmitter signaling, as well as energy metabolism in the brain, and the formation of myelin. If at any point you feel as though your level of cognitive thinking has diminished, it is important that you address your concerns. That is why we recommend the BrainTest\u00ae app<\/strong><\/a>. Learn more about this self-assessment tool <\/span>here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

In contrast to an iron deficiency, researchers have found that people living with Alzheimer\u2019s have higher levels of iron in their brains. As discussed above, it is now believed that <\/span>an excess of iron<\/span><\/a> may contribute to the onset and progression of the disease. However, excess iron in the brain is not a result of one\u2019s diet. The true cause remains unclear at this time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Researchers Are Making More and More \u201cBreakthrough\u201d Discoveries\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

As research and technology advance, scientists are able to make more in-depth discoveries. In many cases, these discoveries are an accident. For example, this past January, researchers found <\/span>a potential treatment option for Alzheimer\u2019s<\/span><\/a> while testing an existing drug intended for type 2 diabetes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Known as a \u201ctriple receptor drug,\u201d this potential treatment protects the brain from degeneration in a number of ways. For this study, the researchers observed transgenic mice with the same mutated genes that cause Alzheimer\u2019s in human subjects. After treating the mice, learning and memory formation improved. They also showcased increased levels of brain growth factors, reduced inflammation, and a reduction in the number of amyloid plaques.<\/p>\n

This discovery not only opened up new potential treatment options but also strengthened the connection between diabetes and Alzheimer\u2019s. It is well-understood that type 2 diabetes is a significant risk factor for Alzheimer\u2019s. This\u00a0is why you must effectively manage your weight and blood glucose levels. For those who are prediabetic, it is critical that you alter your current lifestyle. After all, as many as 9 out of 10 cases of type 2 diabetes is preventable.<\/p>\n

Related<\/b>: <\/span>A Diabetes Drug Has Been Shown to Improve Memory Loss in Mice<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

As researchers around the globe continue to dedicate their time and resources to Alzheimer\u2019s, we will continue to see progress. Alzheimer\u2019s is an incredibly complex disease and in order to effectively cure it, treatment will likely require a multifaceted approach. We will continue to bring you the latest in Alzheimer\u2019s and dementia research. <\/span><\/p>\n

Please follow both our <\/span>Knowledge Center <\/span><\/a>and <\/span>blog<\/span><\/a> for more information. If you have any questions about the BrainTest\u00ae app<\/strong><\/a>, <\/span>our support team<\/span><\/a> will happily assist you. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Alzheimer\u2019s disease now affects approximately 5.7 million Americans. However, a new discovery may improve future treatment options. Referred to as a \u201cbreakthrough\u201d in Alzheimer\u2019s research, researchers now understand the\u00a0properties of the metals\u00a0that impact the progression of the disease.\u00a0 A Major Alzheimer’s Discovery Could Support Future Treatment Options An international team<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":7955,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","kbe_taxonomy":[36],"kbe_tags":[],"class_list":["post-5908","kbe_knowledgebase","type-kbe_knowledgebase","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","kbe_taxonomy-alzheimers"],"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/braintest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/person-holding-laboratory-flask-2280571.jpg",1920,1281,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/braintest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/person-holding-laboratory-flask-2280571-300x224.jpg",300,224,true],"medium":["https:\/\/braintest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/person-holding-laboratory-flask-2280571-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/braintest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/person-holding-laboratory-flask-2280571.jpg",1920,1281,false],"large":["https:\/\/braintest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/person-holding-laboratory-flask-2280571-1024x683.jpg",1024,683,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/braintest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/person-holding-laboratory-flask-2280571.jpg",1536,1025,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/braintest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/person-holding-laboratory-flask-2280571.jpg",1920,1281,false],"rp-thumbnail":["https:\/\/braintest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/person-holding-laboratory-flask-2280571-150x100.jpg",150,100,true],"product":["https:\/\/braintest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/person-holding-laboratory-flask-2280571-310x310.jpg",310,310,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Krista Hillis","author_link":"https:\/\/braintest.com\/es\/author\/kristahillis\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Alzheimer\u2019s disease now affects approximately 5.7 million Americans. However, a new discovery may improve future treatment options. Referred to as a \u201cbreakthrough\u201d in Alzheimer\u2019s research, researchers now understand the\u00a0properties of the metals\u00a0that impact the progression of the disease.\u00a0 A Major Alzheimer’s Discovery Could Support Future Treatment Options An international team","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/braintest.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/kbe_knowledgebase\/5908","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/braintest.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/kbe_knowledgebase"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/braintest.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/kbe_knowledgebase"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/braintest.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/braintest.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5908"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/braintest.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/kbe_knowledgebase\/5908\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7954,"href":"https:\/\/braintest.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/kbe_knowledgebase\/5908\/revisions\/7954"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/braintest.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7955"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/braintest.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5908"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"kbe_taxonomy","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/braintest.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/kbe_taxonomy?post=5908"},{"taxonomy":"kbe_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/braintest.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/kbe_tags?post=5908"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}