New Preventative Measures for Alzheimer’s?

By Eunice Kim

Cypress High School

For almost a year, SARS-CoV-2 has been the headlining, disease-causing pathogen that has been responsible for 71.5 million cases, and counting, worldwide. However, a disease with new breakthroughs in recent weeks that hasn’t been receiving as much attention is Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s disease is a complex neurodegenerative disorder that causes brain cells to progressively waste away. Unfortunately, it is a common disease, with 5.8 million victims in the United States in 2020, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

So far, there are preventative measures such as sleep intervention, diabetes treatment, and social engagement. Regrettably, treatment doesn’t exist. The National Institute of Aging suggests that “...changes in the brain can occur many years before the first symptoms of Alzheimer’s appear. These early brain changes point to a possible window of opportunity to prevent or delay debilitating memory loss and other symptoms of dementia.” And with this hope to find early signs in mind, researchers from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, the University Medical Center in Ljubljana, the University of Paris, Slovenia, and the Barcelona Beta Research Centre in Spain have identified another early warning sign: a new form of the tau protein.

Alzheimer’s is detected by amyloid-beta peptide and p-tau (phosphorylated tau) pathology changes. These substances can accumulate in the brain and form plaque, which significantly disables cell-to-cell signaling and triggers inflammation. Normally, amyloid-beta levels show earlier pathological signs than p-tau. The paper published by the researchers in the “Science Daily” says that “The current clinical tests for p-tau become abnormal when memory failings develop.” To address this problem, scientists discovered that specific forms of p-tau go through small changes in cerebrospinal fluid and blood in emerging Alzheimer’s cases before symptoms arise.

This new discovery has multiple implications. Earlier detection means that early medications like cholinesterase inhibitors, which prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter involved in memory and thinking), can be more effective. Again, while this isn’t a complete solution, it can slow down the effects of the neurodegenerative disorder.

When asked about the study, a junior at Troy High School Victoria Choi said, “I think it’s amazing that we’re discovering insight into possible biological markers to understand the disease better.” Similarly, a senior at Fairmont Preparatory Academy Kenneth Yang said, “I feel as if this discovery will provide more space and time for research as well as possibilities for improvement in our medical technology in order to find the most effective and efficient method to cure Alzheimer’s and perhaps other neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s.”

It’s exciting to think about the potential of this new biological marker. Medicine can integrate the highly sensitive technique employed by the European researchers to provide better care for patients. Patients and their families can explore treatment plans at an earlier stage and make the diagnosis easier to handle. The impacts of dementia can potentially be delayed. Science has made yet another breakthrough.