Inherited Alzheimer's Damage Greater Decades Before Symptoms Appear

A study investigating an inherited form of Alzheimer's disease shows the progression of the disease may slow once symptoms appear and do significant damage. Professor Colin Masters, from the Florey Institutie of Neuroscience and Mental Health and University of Melbourne, found rapid neuronal damage beginning 10-20 years before symptoms appear. Professor Master stated, "There is actually a slowing of the neurodegeneration." Families with autosomal dominant Alzheimer's are vital because years before symptoms arise, they can be diagnosed. Information gathered will also help treatment for those with age-related Alzheimer's disease. 1% of Alzheimer's patients have the genetic type of the disease. The next step of the study is the clinical trail. They will monitor the subjects with MRIs, PETs, blood tests, and cerebrospinal fluid.
The fact that only 1% of all Alzheimer's patients are the genetic form is shocking. That is good news, though, because it means a person does not pass it on to their progeny. Improving the treatment is very important for both the genetic and non-genetic types of the disease.

Fluorescent Compounds Allow Clinicians to Visualize Alzheimer's Disease as It Progresses

 Tau tangles are an important marker of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease as well as non-Alzheimer’s neurodegenerative disorders.  Tau proteins aggregate together and become tangled and the amyloid beta accumulate into deposits or plaques in the brain of patients that have the disease.  Technology has been able to view the spread of amyloid beta plaques but not tau tangles until now.  Fluorescent compounds have been developed to bind to tau, called PBB’s.  Using positron emission tomography (PET) tests they can monitor the spread of tau tangles in the brain that have the PBB’s to collect information on the Alzheimer’s disease progression.  Using the fluorescent compounds the data on tau accumulation is remarkable gaining information on brain regions developing or at risk for tau-induced neuronal death.  The new development may also be helpful for treating, diagnosing, monitoring other neurological condition linked with tau tangles such as movement disorders and various types of dementias. 

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-09/cp-fca091213.php
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130918130638.htm