1. Beta-Amyloid Proteins: The Connection to Alzheimer's
Beta-amyloid is a special type of protein that many researchers believe accumulates in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease, which has no cure, is classified as progressive and a degenerative disease of the brain that causes the most common type of dementia and severe memory loss.
2. The Action of Beta-Amyloid Proteins
Beta-amyloid protein builds up and accumulates in the brains of Alzheimer's patients and activates the cells focused on immunity to remove the protein, which it can't do. This then causes the release of cellular poisons that ultimately kill nerve cells, which leaves behind plaques filled with beta-amyloid.
3. Finding the Elusive Protein
Beta-amyloid is normally easily eliminated and broken down by a normal person's brain. In people with Alzheimer's, fragments of dead nerve endings form insoluble hard plaques. Prior to the development highly specialized imaging such as the PET scan, the presence of this type of plaque could be diagnosed after death during an autopsy. Due to the modernization of today's testing procedures, we now know that there is a build up of beta-amyloid in the brain's of Alzheimer's patients and is most definitely thought of as the underlying triggering figure in the development and progression of the disease.
4. Fighting Alzheimer's Disease
Some of the most vigorous research is being done to try to decrease the beta-amyloid production, which is felt to be the key to Alzheimer's disease. Some of types of the medications being explored are ones that blocks the secretion of an enzyme, which divides the beta amyloid protein from a larger protein that releases it into the brain. These medications will be used on the people who already have a diagnosis of Alzheimer's so that they can prevent more beta-amyloid accumulations and allow the brain to clear the plaque over time.
5. Creating a Vaccine
A new and completely potent type of vaccine is currently under clinical trial for Alzheimer's disease. It does exactly what a vaccine should do--clear and remove the plaques with beta-amyloid from the brain. This is a very promising finding but the downside is that it does not seem to increase or restore lost memory and learning abilities. However, when used with a mixture of vaccination, other therapies that also target memory decrease may give good treatment opportunities for people affected by this neurodegenerative disorder.
