A significant finding published in late 2021 may offer the probable cause of Alzheimer’s disease. The study was conducted at Curtin University in Australia. And published in the PLOS Biology journal. It identified that a probable cause for the disease was the leakage of blood of fat-carrying particles transporting toxic proteins in the brain.
Blood to Brain Pathway
The “blood to brain pathway”, researchers say, are likely leaks into the brain of particles in the blood called lipoproteins that carry fat particles. “While we previously knew that the hallmark feature of people living with Alzheimer’s disease was the progressive accumulation of toxic protein deposits within the brain called beta-amyloid, researchers did not know where the amyloid originated from, or why it deposited in the brain,” Professor John Mamo said in the article.
As such, researchers believe that if they can manage the levels of lipoprotein-amyloid in the blood and prevent leakage in the brain, new treatments can be developed to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and slow memory loss during aging.
In 2020, the US Center for Disease Control estimated that 5.8 million Americans were living with Alzheimer’s disease. While younger people can develop Alzheimer’s, it mostly affects those 65 years of age or older. For every five years beyond 65, its prevalence doubles.
Ten Warning Signs of Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia. Ten warning signs of Alzheimer’s include:
- Memory loss that interferes with daily life
- Issues in planning or solving problems
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks
- Confusion with the time or place
- Difficulty understanding visual cues or spatial relationships
- Developing problems with words
- Losing items and unable to retrace steps to find them
- Poor judgment
- Withdrawal from others
- Changes in mood or personality
Another 2021 study documents the link between cataract removal and the development of dementia. Those who have cataracts removed have a 30% lower risk of developing dementia from any cause than those who do not have the cataract removal. It seems to tie specifically to a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
At BeeHive Homes our mission is to serve our seniors and their families. Our assisted living and memory care homes help seniors live independently while safely enjoying a home-like atmosphere. Our caregivers get to know each resident. And are trained to notice signs of dementia. We keep the family apprised of changes as well as work with the senior in memory care activities.
Many resources are available for those who begin to experience dementia. Or who may begin developing Alzheimer’s. We are happy to help connect you with them. BeeHive Memory Care Homes believe in making every day as good as it can be for our residents across our homes in Rowlett & Lewisville (Dallas area), Cypress (Houston area), and Crownridge San Antonio. We hope that in the near future treatment options for those experiencing Alzheimer’s disease will be markedly better.
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