Infection and Alzheimer’s Disease: Possible Relation

The Relationship and Result Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Infection

 

For years, Alzheimer’s disease has been explained as combined “protein plaques”(made up of amyloid beta) that settle in the brain, and have do not have a specific functional role. As a result, they attack a person’s mind and memory.

Later studies have suggested that these “protein plaques” are meant to be useful in defense against infections. Alzheimer’s is just a sad alternative result in some people who have lower levels of amyloid beta. Instead of fighting off microbes, they combine together and form an attachment to the person’s microbes. It happens fast, and are very determined and strong in attaching themselves and not letting go.

This new study from “Science Translational Medicine” journal has been a game changer in how people think about Alzheimer’s disease, but applied solutions is still in the works and it will be some time before solutions/medications come into fruition. While any straightforward answers are a long ways off, researchers and doctors are excited about the new possibilities that are to come about. As time goes on and research becomes more in-depth and more answers appear, doctors believe that medications that are made specifically to attack this particular part of a person’s immune system will be well worth it, while not completely clearing the disease out completely, but rather fighting off the threatening plaques.