Má qualidade do sono e Alzheimer?

https://www.jn.pt/mundo/ma-qualidade-do-sono-associada-ao-alzheimer-sugerem-estudos-11687987.html

Citação:
"Um estudo da Fundação Pasqual Maragall, especializada na investigação sobre o Alzheimer, em Barcelona, encontrou mudanças na estrutura cerebral que sugerem uma ligação entre a insónia e o desenvolvimento da doença neurodegenerativa.

De acordo com o jornal espanhol "El País", pesquisas realizadas com pessoas saudáveis revelaram que quem sofre de insónias apresenta alterações em algumas áreas do cérebro que também são afetadas nos primeiros estágios da doença. Os danos cerebrais começam muito antes de o paciente desenvolver os primeiros sintomas de Alzheimer."

Vacina de prevenção da demência?

Artigo publicado, em ratos:
https://www.noticiasaominuto.com/lifestyle/1388041/tratamento-contra-a-demencia-funciona-em-ratos-e-sera-testado-em-humanos

Citando:
"Uma vacina que previne a demência foi administrada com sucesso em ratos, de acordo com um estudo recente publicado no periódico científico Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy. Os especialistas esperam agora que os testes clínicos do fármaco comecem dentro dos próximos dois anos."

Alzheimer prevenido?

https://www.noticiasaominuto.com/lifestyle/1365573/cientistas-descobrem-molecula-que-pode-por-fim-a-alzheimer

Citando:
"Segundo um estudo publicado esta segunda-feira no periódico científico Nature, foi detetada uma molécula que rejuvenesce as células cerebrais, bloqueando desta forma a doença de Alzheimer logo na primeira fase. "

Medicamento e Alzheimer?

https://www.tveuropa.pt/noticias/novo-medicamento-protege-doentes-com-alzheimer-de-perda-de-memoria/

Citando:
"Estudos recentes descobriram que a doença de Alzheimer pode desenvolver-se sem demência em quase 25% dos pacientes saudáveis ​​de 80 anos, sugerindo que o corpo pode recorrer a mecanismos compensatórios para manter o sistema nervoso.

O BPN14770, em desenvolvimento pela Tetra Therapeutics, pode ajudar a ativar esses mecanismos que apoiam a saúde dos nervos e previnem a demência, mesmo com a progressão da doença de Alzheimer.

Os investigadores indicam que os benefícios do medicamento podem também fazer-se sentir em pacientes com síndrome do X-frágil, deficiências no desenvolvimento e esquizofrenia."

Novo tipo de demência?

LATE, relacionado com a proteína TDP-43:
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/health/nhs-confirms-new-type-dementia-16214229

Citando:
"As well as bringing attention (and a name) to the brain condition, the research also has wider implications in relation to the potential diagnosis and understanding of LATE in the future.

"The main purpose of the new name and the consensus document is to guide researchers so they can better understand the disease," explained the NHS.

For example, researchers now believed they understand why recent trials of treatments for Alzheimer's may have appeared unsuccessful.

They explained that the treatments may have effectively treated the proteins that cause damage in Alzheimer's but LATE may have continued - ultimately making any improvements to Alzheimer's symptoms."
(...)
"The more well-known Alzheimer's however is caused by an accumulation of two other proteins in the brain - known as tau and amyloid beta."

Alzheimer e luz e som?

https://paivense.pt/ciencia/2019/03/alzheimer-pode-ser-tratada-atraves-da-combinacao-de-terapias-de-luz-e-som/

Citando:
"Em experiências realizadas em ratos de laboratório, aglomerados de proteínas prejudiciais que interferem nas funções cerebrais foram parcialmente eliminados usando apenas luz e som, melhorando a função cognitiva dos animais.

Esta técnica ainda não foi clinicamente testada em humanos. Por este motivo, ainda é muito cedo para dizer que seria uma técnica viável. Além disso, adianta o HypeScience, os ratos foram geneticamente modificados para apresentarem sintomas parecidos com a condição em humanos.

No entanto, os resultados iniciais indicam uma forma barata e simples de tratar esta forma tão comum de demência.

Tudo começou em 2015, quando a neurocientista Li-Huei Tsai, diretora do Instituto Picower de Aprendizagem e Memória do MIT, trabalhou numa experiência que tinha como objetivo manipular a atividade do cérebro piscando uma luz branca no rosto destes animais."

Infecção nas gengivas e Alzheimer?

Investigação em ratos:
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/gum-disease-alzheimers-disease-bacteria-dementia-a8743576.html
Citando:

"Researchers made the discovery after analysing brain tissue, spinal fluid, and saliva from dead and living patients with diagnosed and suspected Alzheimer's."

(...)
"However, there was also good news. The scientists tested drugs that blocked gingipains and found they were able halt the neurodegeneration.

One drug, given to mice in food, effectively treated P. gingivalis brain infections and prevented the loss of memory neurons."

Reverter Alzheimer?

... em camundongos:
https://oglobo.globo.com/sociedade/ciencia/perda-de-memoria-causada-por-alzheimer-revertida-em-estudo-com-camundongos-23394712

Citando:
"- Cientistas da Universidade de Buffalo, nos Estados Unidos, conseguiram reverter temporariamente a perda de memória causada pela doença de Alzheimer, em testes com camundongos. Os resultados da pesquisa foram publicados na terça (22) na revista especializada "Brain"."

Detecção precoce de Alzheimer?

Por análises ao sangue?
https://observador.pt/2019/01/23/alzheimer-pode-ser-detetado-ate-16-anos-antes-dos-primeiros-sintomas-com-um-teste-sanguineo-diz-estudo/

Citando:
"detetar a doença de Alzheimer até 16 anos antes de os primeiros sintomas, como a perda de memória e a confusão, surgirem. O estudo foi publicado esta segunda-feira na revista científica Nature Medicine.

Como é que uma análise ao sangue permite detetar uma doença neurodegenerativa? Segundo a investigação, através da medição dos níveis de uma proteína chamada Neurofilamento de Cadeia Leve (NFL, na sigla em inglês), que se trata de “uma marca no sangue que dá indicações das perdas de células no cérebro”, explicou Mathias Jucker, líder da investigação e professor de biologia celular de doenças neurológicas, citado pela CNN. Esta proteína acumula-se no sangue dos doentes muito antes de a doença se manifestar e serve também para detetar sinais de lesões cerebrais associadas a outras doenças, como a esclerose múltipla."

Colina para combater o Alzheimer?

Parece que sim:
https://zap.aeiou.pt/nutriente-essencial-alzheimer-235282

Citando:
"A segunda geração, apesar de não ter recebido suplementação direta, também beneficiou do tratamento, provavelmente devido a modificações herdadas nos seus genes – epigenética.

Na prática, a colina atua para proteger o cérebro da doença de Alzheimer de, pelo menos, duas maneiras. Primeiro, reduz os níveis de homocisteína, um aminoácido que pode atuar como uma potente neurotoxina, contribuindo para as marcas da doença: neurodegeneração e formação de placas amiloides.

Aliás, a homocisteína é conhecida por duplicar o risco de desenvolver a doença de Alzheimer e é encontrada em níveis elevados em pacientes com a doença. A colina realiza uma transformação química, convertendo a nociva homocisteína em metionina."

Desequilíbrio de Ph e Alzheimer?

https://zap.aeiou.pt/desequilibrio-ph-cerebro-pode-causa-alzheimer-213182

Estudo aspirina / Alzheimer

https://stv.tv/news/uk/1421517-aspirin-shows-promising-potential-as-alzheimer-s-treatment-say-scientist/

Citando:
"Low dose aspirin may help cells in the brain to clear away a toxic protein molecule at the core of Alzheimer's, early research suggests.

Scientists showed the common pain killer stimulated cellular machinery that acts as a waste disposal system to keep the brain "clean".

Genetically engineered mice given the drug had reduced levels of a key hallmark of Alzheimer's in their brains, sticky clumps of beta amyloid peptide."

(...)

": "Clinical trials of aspirin have already been performed in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

"The drug had no beneficial effects on outcome measures and was associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal haemorrhage."

The American researchers pointed out the mechanism appeared to be dependent on a protein called PPAR-alpha, levels of which fell significantly with age.

This might explain why trials looking at the effects of aspirin on elderly Alzheimer's patients had produced disappointing results, they said."

Proteína que atrasa avanço do Alzheimer?

https://observador.pt/2018/06/29/ha-uma-proteina-do-cerebro-que-pode-proteger-contra-a-doenca-de-alzheimer/

Citando:
"A proteína S100B faz parte de um grupo de moléculas de alarme, as alarminas, que aumentam sempre que há danos em tecidos e células nervosas, desencadeando processos de inflamação. É por isso que tem níveis aumentados no cérebro dos doentes com Alzheimer e é por isso que aparece associada às placas senis que se acumulam no exterior das células neuronais. Mas os mecanismos desta relação ainda não são bem conhecidos."

Alzheimer e vírus do herpes?

Ainda não se sabe se causa, se sintoma:
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jun/21/alzheimers-link-to-herpes-virus-in-brain-say-scientists

Citando:
"The scientists did not set out to look for a link between viruses and dementia. Instead they were hoping to pinpoint genes that were unusually active in the brains of people with the earliest stage of Alzheimer’s. But when they studied brain tissue, comparing people with early-stage Alzheimer’s and healthy controls, the most striking differences in gene activity were not found in human genes, but in genes belonging to two herpes virus strains, HHV6A and HHV7. And the abundance of the viruses correlated with clinical dementia scores of the donors.

“We didn’t go looking for viruses, but viruses sort of screamed out at us,” said Ben Readhead, assistant professor at Arizona State University-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center and lead author."

Relação ambiental e Alzheimer (alga na água)?

O marisco francês e o português parece conter a toxina (BMAA em Inglês) que está a ser associada ao aparecimento de Alzheimer:
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/637550/Alzheimer-s-scientists-cause-lurking-British-waters

Citando:
"A toxin produced by the blue-green algae, also being linked to motor neurone disease (MND), has been discovered in plants and seafood and scientists fear it is contaminating the food chain and triggering the devastating brain diseases. 

The algae, found in freshwater lakes and reservoirs throughout Britain, produces a toxin called BMAA, often as a by-product of its algal bloom. 

The brains of people who have suffered from Alzheimer's and MND were found to contain high levels of BMAA and monkeys given a diet rich in the toxin developed Alzheimer's-like symptoms in less than five months. 

If the link is confirmed between the toxin and humans, it would be the first major environmental factor linked to the increasing rate of Alzheimer's."
(...)
"Although a link to the food chain has not yet been established, seafood, including French mussels and oysters and Portuguese cockles grown in estuaries, have all been found to contain BMAA."
(...)
"Professor Cox said: "We think there is a gene-environment interaction. Perhaps some people are exposed to this toxin and, instead of excreting it, they accumulate it. If the genes are the gun, the toxin is the trigger."

They agreed more research was needed."

Proteína Ephexin5 pode ter papel em Alzheimer

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/news/article/182/protein_that_regulates_brain_cell_connections_could_be_new_target_for_treating_alzheimers_disease_alzheimer_s_society_comment

Citando:
"Researchers in the US have discovered that a protein called Ephexin5 may have a role in Alzheimer’s disease.

They discovered that removing Ephexin-5 in mice prevents the loss of connections between brain cells and prevented memory problems in mice with symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers also discovered that Ephexin5 levels appear higher in the brain cells of people with Alzheimer's disease."

Estudo:
A remoção em ratos evitou o desenvolvimento de perdas de memória; presença mínima no cérebro de adultos saudáveis (daí ser um alvo tentador para o desenvolvimento de medicamentos uma vez que a sua remoção poderá trazer poucos efeitos secundários).

Teste prevê idade aparecimento de Alzheimer

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/mar/22/new-alzheimers-test-can-predict-age-when-disease-will-appear

Citando:
"Scientists have developed a new genetic test for Alzheimer’s risk that can be used to predict the age at which a person will develop the disease.

A high score on the test, which is based on 31 genetic markers, can translate to being diagnosed many years earlier than those with a low-risk genetic profile, the study found. Those ranked in the top 10% in terms of risk were more than three times as likely to develop Alzheimer’s during the course of the study, and did so more than a decade before those who ranked in the lowest 10%."
( ...)
"while genetic makeup can influence the chances of developing dementia, a healthy diet, regular physical activity and remaining mentally active can also drive down the risk. “Genetics is only part of the story and we know that lifestyle factors also influence our risk of developing Alzheimer’s,” she said. “The best current evidence points to habits we can all adopt to help lower our risk and indicates that what’s good for your heart is also good for the brain.”"

Relação entre dormir mais de 9h e Alzheimer?

http://www.techtimes.com/articles/199356/20170226/more-than-nine-hours-of-sleep-could-indicate-alzheimers-disease-here-are-other-warning-signs-of-dementia.htm

Citando:
"Although the researchers did not find a heightened dementia risk for individuals who had been sleeping for nine hours or more a night for more than 13 years, they noticed an increased risk for those who recently started to sleep for more than nine hours.

The researchers found that new long-sleepers have an increased likelihood of developing dementia. Those who recently started to sleep for more than nine hours were found to have a 20 percent increased likelihood of being diagnosed with the neurological condition. They also appeared to have smaller brain volumes."

Relação entre açúcar e Alzheimer estabelecida

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170223124253.htm

Citando:
"For the first time a "tipping point" molecular link between the blood sugar glucose and Alzheimer's disease has been established by scientists, who have shown that excess glucose damages a vital enzyme involved with inflammation response to the early stages of Alzheimer's.
(...)

By studying brain samples from people with and without Alzheimer's using a sensitive technique to detect glycation, the team discovered that in the early stages of Alzheimer's glycation damages an enzyme called MIF (macrophage migration inhibitory factor) which plays a role in immune response and insulin regulation.

MIF is involved in the response of brain cells called glia to the build-up of abnormal proteins in the brain during Alzheimer's disease, and the researchers believe that inhibition and reduction of MIF activity caused by glycation could be the 'tipping point' in disease progression. It appears that as Alzheimer's progresses, glycation of these enzymes increases.

The study is published in the journal Scientific Reports"

Detecção precoce de Alzheimer por discurso?

Tentativa de detecção precoce de Alzheimer através do discurso (tipicamente as técnicas focam-se na memória):
http://www.mirror.co.uk/science/experts-revealed-new-symptom-could-9858668

Citando:
""The MCIs are very long-winded. One significant difference is the mean length of utterance, how many words MCI subjects used versus healthy older, it was a very significant difference.

"MCIs almost tended to get lost along the way and had more difficulty connecting the three words and also difficulty remembering the three words."

Asked what people should do if they spotted their elderly relative had became more long winded and more disconnected when they talk, Dr Sherman said: "If there is a change you’re noticing in spouses and parents and friends cognition, either their ability to remember information, or their ability to communicate, that might be a good time to get them seen by a physician.

"Especially if there is a change from their baseline."

But she cautioned: "Many individuals may be long winded. That’s not a concern. What we are trying to figure out is when there is a change in how you use to be.

"Alzheimer’s disease is a decline in cognitive function, that’s what defines it. So it’s when there is a change from your usual function that you need to be concerned.""