Elderly with Alzheimer’s Pathology Found with Superior Memory

Scientists have been studying elderly patients over 90 years old who have superior memory abilities compared to their peers. After their death, it was discovered that some of them had widespread plaque and tangles in their brain, which are correlated with having Alzheimer; Despite the Alzheimer pathology present in their brain, they never showed signs of degenerating memory throughout their entire life.

This new revelation has baffled scientists whom believe that this means there are some factors that are protecting these individuals from the plaque and tangles in their brain—something that makes them “immune to the toxic effects of plaques and tangles.” Their goal: To figure out exactly what these factors are and possibly help stop the further decline of neurons and memory for elderly affected by the Alzheimer’s pathology. Changiz Guela, the Northwestern Medicine lead investigator is planning on looking “at genetic, dietary and environmental influences that could confer protection for neurons against Alzheimer’s pathology.

This new discovery can lead to promising therapies and treatment in the future. It has the potential to save millions off lives and families. 

Resources:

1. Northwestern University. "elderly discovered with superior memory and Alzheimer's Pathology." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 16 Novemvber 2016. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161116132813.htm>.

2. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161116132813.htm

Alzheimer Pathology Found in Elderly with Superior Memory

A recent study done by Northwestern Medicine has revealed new vital information on Alzheimer's. The study was done on eight individuals, 90 and older who showed superior memory. Three out of the eight individual's brains qualified as having Alzheimer's plaque and tangles present even though they still had superior memory. When there is too much plaque and tangles in the brain, neurons start to die as a result. This means that even though the Alzheimer's was present in these individuals, something in their body is protecting their brains neurons from the toxic effects of the Alzheimer plaque. If scientists are able to determine what is protecting the neurons, it could lead to new medications for Alzheimer patients.

Certain parts of the brain were looked at. One of those parts was the hippocampus, which was looked at and examined, revealing that the nerves cell in the individual with superior memory were all intact. Than patients brains that did have Alzheimer's and displayed the effects of were looked at, revealing quite the opposite. The nerve cells this time showed a significant amount of dead cells. The lead investigator in this study was Changiz Geula which stated, "'These findings clearly demonstrate the brains of some elderly are immune to the toxic effects of plaques and tangles'"(sciencedaily). A new discovery like this brings hope and may even be the leading point need that points us the right direction.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/11/161116132813.htm

Neuroscientists Make Breakthrough for Studying Alzheimer's

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston have made a breakthrough in studying Alzheimer's. What they call "Alzheimer's in a Dish," neuroscientists Doo Yeo Kim and Rudolph E. Tanzi have replicated human brain cells in a petri dish that mimics the network of neurons in a person with Alzheimer's.

Neuroscientist Doo Yeo Kim(Left) and Rudolph E. Tanzi(Right)

The findings started off as a mere suggestion by Doo Yeo Kim to his colleague Rudolph E. Tanzi. The suggestion was to grow human brain cells in a gel. From there, the scientists added genes for Alzheimer's to the neurons. After a few weeks of incubation, the researchers noticed the development of plaque and tangles, which are key features of the neuron network in a person with Alzheimer's. The growth of the neurons began with human embryonic stem cells. Growing them in the presence of certain chemicals allowed the stem cells to turn into neurons. The only requirement then after was to introduce the Alzheimer gene beta amyloid.

Plaque - pictured an orange,  disrupting a network of neurons - pictured in green, in a petri dish. 

Scientists from all over the country are recognizing the breakthrough Dr. Kim and Dr. Tanzi have made. This is a big step forward for the study of Alzheimer's. This allows an accelerate process of drug testing for the disease. Before scientists had to rely on mice to test newly synthesized drug treatment which took a minimum of a year to study. However, with the petri dish method, researchers can study the effects of drugs within a matter of months. The only downfall of this discovery is that the replica does not take into consideration immune system cells, which are known to contribute to Alzheimer's once it begins. Although, hopefully the study will help scientists target Alzheimer's before it even begins.

Dr. Tanzi is now in the beginning stages of testing nearly 6,000 on the market and experimental drugs and their effects on the neurons present in the petri dish. The neuroscientists has already used his method to inhibit a certain enzyme that stopped the formation of tangles. As further research continues and scientists duplicate their methods, a potential drug treatment for Alzheimer's can be found in the coming years. This is very promising news, as Alzheimer's continues to become more and more prominent in our society.

Article: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/13/science/researchers-replicate-alzheimers-brain-cells-in-a-petri-dish.html?rref=science&module=ArrowsNav&contentCollection=Space%20%26%20Cosmos&action=keypress&region=FixedLeft&pgtype=article

Article Related: Beta-Amyloid - http://www.alz.org/braintour/plaques.asp