My first instinct on reading this is that the findings are a bit over-hyped. A cure for Alzheimer’s? Really? Of course everyone and their brother wants to prevent brain aging and disease and everyone and their brother has something to sell you to do that–computer programs, supplements, oils, or the next Silicon Valley biotech startup IPO. But as a neuroscientist, I think that even if it is over-hyped and not a panacea it is still very worth pursuing medically. It’s a fresh approach and is likely to be an important missing piece of the puzzle. The brain is a hard organ to study, and neuroscience research has progressed slowly–and not for want of trying!
Faulty brain plumbing to blame in Alzheimer’s, age-related memory loss — and can be fixed
NOTE: this article not written by David T. Wolf, but selected by him from Science Digest
Date:July 26, 2018
Source:University of Virginia Health System
Summary: Aging vessels connecting the brain and the immune system play critical roles in both Alzheimer’s disease and the decline in cognitive ability that comes with time, new research reveals. By improving the function of the lymphatic vessels, scientists have dramatically enhanced aged mice’s ability to learn and improved their memories. The work may provide doctors an entirely new path to treat or prevent Alzheimer’s disease, age-related memory loss and other neurodegenerative diseases.
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I read somewhere that these lymphatics clear away waste at night time and in chronic sleep deprivation these waste products accumulate which lead to Alzheimer’s disease. Is it true?
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That is speculation, but yes, it is thought that the accumulation of waste products in the brain contributes to Alzheimer’s Disease.
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Wonderful! Thank you for the share!
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This is turning out to be quite a popular post! Dave is in my writers’ group and is not a scientist himself but he is good at finding the latest neuro research!
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I suspect we’re still years away from any widely available medicines, but this news is about as exciting as it comes.
Thanks for sharing this.
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Yep. I find it interesting as a writer of near-future science fiction too. I have an Alzheimer’s cure in one of my stories and I think I will add this.
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