Alzheimer's disease - causes

At the moment, Alzheimer's disease affects more than 50 million people worldwide. In this article we will talk about the causes of the disease in question and the prevention of Alzheimer's disease at a young age. In addition, we list a number of factors that affect the progression of the disease.

Causes of Alzheimer's Disease

Despite the high level of modern medicine and the development of new technologies, there is no absolute understanding of the reasons why the brain affects the disease. There are three main theories that explain the onset of the disease:

1. The amyloid hypothesis . According to this version of the cause of the development of Alzheimer's disease - the deposition of a fragment of transmembrane protein called beta amyloid. They are one of the main components in amyloid plaques in the brain tissue during the development of the disease. The APP gene, responsible for protein production with beta-amyloid, is located on 21 chromosomes and promotes the accumulation of amyloid even in youth. Interestingly, a vaccine was developed ten years ago, capable of splitting amyloid plaques in the brain tissue. But, unfortunately, the medicine did not influence the restoration of the nervous connections and the normal functioning of the brain.
2. Cholinergic hypothesis . Adherents of this theory argue that Alzheimer's disease in both young and old people is caused by a significant decrease in the production of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that controls the transfer of electrical impulse from neurons to muscle tissue. On this version, the vast majority of Alzheimer's disease regimens are still based, although a number of studies have shown that even very strong medicines replenishing the lack of acetylcholine are ineffective.
3. Tau-hypothesis . This theory is most relevant to date and is confirmed by numerous studies. According to her, the protein strands (tau protein) combine, which leads to the formation of neurofibrillary tangles within individual nerve cells. Such accumulations of filaments disrupt the transport system between neurons, affecting microtubules and blocking their functioning.

In addition to the main versions on the occurrence of the disease, there are also a number of alternative hypotheses that have weak theoretical justification. One of them is based on the assertion that Alzheimer's disease is inherited. Medical research shows that this version is unproven: genetic mutations in the onset of the disease in question are found in only 10% of cases.

How to avoid Alzheimer's?

Without an accurate determination of the reasons, it is naturally difficult to develop adequate treatment and preventive measures against Alzheimer's disease. Nevertheless, experts recommend adhering to a healthy, rational diet, giving time to moderate physical exertion and maintaining brain activity even when retiring.

In addition, it is known that the production of beta-amyloid can be reduced by eating apples and apple juice. Also, some studies two years ago have shown that the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease is reduced due to the Mediterranean diet , rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, phosphorus and whole grains. Vitamin D , which is produced by skin contact with sunlight, also prevents the incidence of this disease.

It is worth noting that natural coffee, recently undeservedly excluded from the diet of many people, has the most beneficial effect on brain activity and serves as a kind of prevention of the disease in question.