A large-scale review of medical registries -- already in the pipeline -- will be needed to confirm the deadly
amyloid beta protein can be spread by dirty surgical instruments, a researcher said.
This outcome does nothing to alter the overwhelming genetic, neuropathological and biomarker evidence that
amyloid beta protein buildup acts to precipitate the AD process, and it also does not alter the potential promise of current agents in trials: Merck's beta secretase inhibitor and Biogen's aducanumab antibody, which appears to be much more effective in mobilizing amyloid beta.
Mass spectrometry of purified
amyloid beta protein in Alzheimer's disease.
An increased percentage of long
amyloid beta protein secreted by familial
amyloid beta protein precursor (beta APP717) mutants," Science, vol.
This research stemmed from a previous cell culture study that highlighted the protective effects of walnut extract against the oxidative damage caused by
amyloid beta protein.
In this case, OL-1 blocks the translation of RNA, which triggers a process that keeps excess
amyloid beta protein from being produced.
The study showed that copper accumulating in the brain disrupted the natural removal of toxic
amyloid beta protein, which is strongly implicated in Alzheimer's.
The Pitt researchers postulate that the drug works through a different biological process, perhaps by reducing soluble oligomers which, like the plaques, are composed of the toxic
amyloid beta protein fragments.
Among the topics discussed are the
amyloid beta protein cascade hypothesis, mechanisms of toxicity of these proteins, the possible role of prions, tau (protein)-based therapies, animal models of AD after repetitive brain trauma, imaging biomarkers, and suggestions for improving assessment of function and clinical trials.
Published in the March 6, 2012 issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, the early findings show that vitamin D3 may activate key genes and cellular signaling networks to help stimulate the immune system to clear the
amyloid beta protein.
The drug had no effect on an Alzheimer's hallmark - the build up of
amyloid beta protein in the brain.
Major Finding: Non-plaque forming fragments of the
amyloid beta protein, once thought to be non-neurotoxic, may be more dangerous to the brain than the full-length, plaque-forming amyloid.
