Recently, a team of researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine found that rejuvenating immune cells in the brain of mice help those mice to more efficiently clear out toxic waste from their brains. This was true even within mice that suffered from cognitive decline and degenerative brain disease.
A current study has placed an emphasis on targeting immune cells within the brain. These cells surround the brain and have an influence on how waste is cleared out of the brain. They found that targeting these cells had the potential to improve cognitive functioning in elderly mice, often because these cells were not able to function like they once did. The research team believes that this could be a viable treatment method for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other issues pertaining to cognitive issues as people age.
The researchers were clear to state that this type of treatment will not be able to revive neurons that have died. However, by targeting immune cells, researchers were able to see improvements in cognitive functioning.
The team believes that this might go well beyond helping to treat disease. It might be helpful for combating some of the memory lapses that are so common with the aging process.
The team published their findings in the November issue of the journal, Nature. Mice models are very different from humans, but they do share many similarities. In fact, mice have long been used as a starting point for clinical research on the human brain because of this. So, while there is still a lot more work that needs to be done in this field, this research may act as an important starting point for future researchers to continue to make advances for those dealing with cognitive disorders and diseases.
Toxic waste in the brain is a common part of Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive disabilities. One of the hallmark symptoms is a buildup of amyloid plaque within the brain, and the brain becomes unable to clear this plaque out at a helpful rate. As a result, neurons begin to die, leading to the outward symptoms that Alzheimer’s is associated with. Memory loss, cognitive decline, loss of coordination, and more become apparent to the outside viewer. Ultimately, this cellular death in the brain leads to the person with Alzheimer’s passing away.
Waste within the brain is not unique to Alzheimer’s disease. Every healthy human has this happen. That’s one of the reasons why sleep is such a vital part of our overall health. During sleep, your brain takes on the task of cleaning itself. Some researchers believe that this is why dreams occur. As your brain cleans itself during the REM cycle, the result may be the nonsensical dreams that we often have.
For many, memory issues are a normal part of the aging process. This is different from dementia. It’s important to consult with a doctor if you’re unsure of what your loved one is dealing with.
It’s also important to find the right senior care for your family’s needs. We’re here to help if you’re still looking for the right care.
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