A gene known as BMI1 has long been known to play a role in the aging of the brain by researchers. But recently, a team of scientists from the University of Montreal has found that there might be another role that this gene plays, one that can be manipulated by doctors for the health of a patient.
Evidence has been found that BMI1 can also play a preventive role when it comes to the spread of Alzheimer’s disease. When someone suffers from this particular disease, the neurons in the brain tend to restructure into a grouping called a G4 structure. This happens in the brains of elderly individuals with Alzheimer’s, but not in the brains of healthy older people. This structure disrupts the ability of one neuron to communicate effectively with another, resulting in some of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
But BMI1 can prevent these structures from forming. This isn’t a cure for Alzheimer’s, but it can help to alleviate the hallmark memory issues that are associated with the disease. Additionally, it may point to how Alzheimer’s disease begins.
New advances in Alzheimer’s research may help explain how the disease begins.
The results of this study were published in the journal, Nature Communications.
Now, there is a lot more research needed when it comes to this particular branch of Alzheimer’s disease study. But if this research team is headed in the right direction, scientists may now have a better understanding of how the disease may begin. This could be a very valuable discovery.
When an older loved one has Alzheimer’s disease, everything changes. It may start out with minor memory loss and confusion, but over time, this can lead to frustration, depression, personality changes, and physical disability. It’s hard to watch a loved one progress through this. It is hard to see a loved one need more and more help. It’s hard to have this responsibility heaped upon you when you’re not sure what to do about it. Perhaps it feels easy and natural to provide care for an older loved one in the early stages of dementia, but as the disease progresses, it can get harder and harder.
Help might be necessary. It’s not bad to need help. It’s not a failure on your part. A lot of people go through these emotions, and it’s perfectly normal to do so. This is a difficult time, both for the person experiencing dementia and their family members. Emotions run rampant and you can go through a whole spectrum of feelings during this time. But at the end of the day, it’s important to do what’s best for your loved one. This will vary from person to person and family to family.
If you’re looking for assistance here, don’t be afraid to reach out. The sooner you do, the sooner your loved one can get the help and assistance that they need. Although you want the best for your loved ones and are filled with love for them, sometimes professional assistance is necessary. This is not training that everyone has.
So, don’t be afraid to reach out. You can give us–or another care service that you trust–a call to get started.
Leave a Reply