Scientists don’t have an answer when it comes to the direct causes of Alzheimer’s disease. However, they are getting closer to this. Recently, a new study revealed that a build up of iron in the body contributes to some of the cell death that is associated with Alzheimer’s disease and some other types of dementia.
This build up of iron is called ferroptosis. When it comes to dementia, ferroptosis kills microglia, which is a type of cell found in the brain and the spinal column. Microglia account for about 10 to 15 percent of all brain cells and they are the brain’s first line of defense when it comes to fighting infection and otherwise activating the immune defense process.
The cell death of microglia appears to have a “cascading” impact on cognitive decline. It opens up new avenues for medications that can target iron and ferroptosis in the brain and hopefully slow down the spread of the degenerative forms of some dementia. It’s not a cure, but it’s a step in the right direction.
The researchers pointed out that this seems to be a major cause of cell death when it comes to Alzheimer’s. They also pointed out that this hasn’t been given any attention in the past by doctors and researchers, which could potentially indicate that this is an untapped avenue when it comes to treatment for the disease. While there is certainly much more research that needs to be done when it comes to microglia and ferroptosis, it is promising that new directions like this are consistently being uncovered by research. It gives a glimmer of hope for Alzheimer’s treatment in the future.
This research was conducted by a team from Oregon Health & Science University. They published their findings in the journal Annals of Neurology back in August. There’s no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but research like this helps us to understand it a little bit better. Hopefully, this type of movement is helpful when it comes to treating those suffering from Alzheimer’s and improving upon their lives. It’s not a cure, but it has the potential to be influential in future research as we head in that direction.
When someone has Alzheimer’s, their world completely changes. Things that were once easy become more and more difficult. Just getting through the day can suddenly become incredibly hard without support.
We can be some of that support for your family. Our trained professionals specialize in memory care and applying it in the home. This is where your loved one is likely most comfortable, and that’s where they will likely want to be for as long as they possibly can. With professional support, this can be a reality.
If you’d like to learn more about how in-home care can improve outcomes and quality of life for those suffering with dementia, please feel free to reach out to us. We can get a free consultation scheduled and explore your options. Our goal is to help connect you to the care that will be best for you. Let’s get started working on that goal today.
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