A Potential New Direction in Alzheimer's
Dear Caregivers,
Scientific advancement is the lifeblood of medicine. In medical school, I was taught that stomach ulcers were caused by stress and spicy food. Just a few years later, I was fortunate to meet the doctor who discovered that a bacterial infection causes ulcers and is easily treatable. (The story of how he and a colleague won the Nobel Prize for this discovery is fascinating. https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(16)30032-5/fulltext)
Now comes a study from Harvard University that, if true — and that’s still a big if — could totally change medicine’s thinking about what causes Alzheimer’s disease, and how to treat it.
The Harvard scientists found that, in mice, lower than normal levels of the metal known as lithium in the animals' brains led to cognitive troubles that were similar to those of Alzheimer’s, such as memory loss. More intriguingly, the researchers found that when a tiny bit of lithium was then given to the afflicted mice, the impairment reversed itself, and their memory improved.
It’s important to stress that these results need to be replicated, and many further tests need to be made before determining that what the scientists found in mice applies to humans. That’s how science works, with one data point leading to the next.
In this case, researchers began to study the effects of lithium in mice after analyzing the brains of thousands of deceased people, some of whom had Alzheimer’s and some of whom did not. They found that the one common trait among those brains of people who had suffered from Alzheimer's was a lower level of lithium.
While this finding is not directly related to some new treatment coming any time soon, it provides one crucial thing: Hope. Just as with ulcers, you never know when science will turn up a revolutionary new understanding of Alzheimer’s. Scientists will never give up trying to understand the cause and find a cure.
Here is some more information on the causes and treatments of Alzheimer’s:
Is Alzheimer’s Hereditary?
A so-called “family history” is not always associated with developing the disease — it is likely a combination of genetic, other medical, and lifestyle risk factors. Here's a guide.
The Mind Diet: Meal Planning to Fuel the Brain
The MIND diet is associated with a slower rate of cognitive decline and a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Here's a guide.
Should We Try the Medications for Alzheimer's Disease?
With any new medication, it is critical to think about the potential benefits as well as the possible side effects. Since there is currently no drug that will cure the illness, the last thing we want to do is reduce the patient’s quality of life with side effects. Here's what to know.
Remember, if you can’t find the information you need on our website, you can always “Ask NAN” by clicking on this link.
Best,
Rosemary D Laird, MD, MHSA
Founder and Chief Medical Officer
“Those who invest in science invest in the future, those who cut science hope for the best.”
— Paul Strange
