ScienceDaily (Dec. 22, 2008) — All spiritual experiences are based in the brain. That statement is truer than ever before, according to a University of Missouri neuropsychologist.
An MU study has data to support a neuropsychological model that proposes spiritual experiences associated with selflessness are related to decreased activity in the right parietal lobe of the brain.
The study is one of the first to use individuals with traumatic brain injury to determine this connection. Researchers say the implication of this connection means people in many disciplines, including peace studies, health care or religion can learn different ways to attain selflessness, to experience transcendence, and to help themselves and others.
This study, along with other recent neuroradiological studies of Buddhist meditators and Francescan nuns, suggests that all individuals, regardless of cultural background or religion, experience the same neuropsychological functions during spiritual experiences, such as transcendence. Transcendence, feelings of universal unity and decreased sense of self, is a core tenet of all major religions. Meditation and prayer are the primary vehicles by which such spiritual transcendence is achieved.
“The brain functions in a certain way during spiritual experiences,” said Brick Johnstone, professor of health psychology in the MU School of Health Professions. “We studied people with brain injury and found that people with injuries to the right parietal lobe of the brain reported higher levels of spiritual experiences, such as transcendence.”
This link is important, Johnstone said, because it means selflessness can be learned by decreasing activity in that part of the brain. He suggests this can be done through conscious effort, such as meditation or prayer. People with these selfless spiritual experiences also are more psychologically healthy, especially if they have positive beliefs that there is a God or higher power who loves them, Johnstone said.
“This research also addresses questions regarding the impact of neurologic versus cultural factors on spiritual experience,” Johnstone said. “The ability to connect with things beyond the self, such as transcendent experiences, seems to occur for people who minimize right parietal functioning. This can be attained through cultural practices, such as intense meditation or prayer or because of a brain injury that impairs the functioning of the right parietal lobe. Either way, our study suggests that ‘selflessness’ is a neuropsychological foundation of spiritual experiences.”
The research was funded by the MU Center on Religion and the Professions. The study – “Support for a neuropsychological model of spirituality in persons with traumatic brain injury” – was published in the peer-reviewed journal Zygon.
“Our research focused on the personal experience of spiritual transcendence and does not in any way minimize the importance of religion or personal beliefs, nor does it suggest that spiritual experience are related only to neuropsychological activity in the brain,” Johnstone said. “It is important to note that individuals experience their God or higher power in many different ways, but that all people from all religions and beliefs appear to experience these connections in a similar way".
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Robotic Technology Improves Stroke Rehabilitation
ScienceDaily (Dec. 23, 2008) — Research scientists using a novel, hand-operated robotic device and functional MRI (fMRI) have found that chronic stroke patients can be rehabilitated, according to a study presented today at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).
This is the first study using fMRI to map the brain in order to track stroke rehabilitation.
"We have shown that the brain has the ability to regain function through rehabilitative exercises following a stroke," said A. Aria Tzika, Ph.D., director of the NMR Surgical Laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Shriners Burn Institute and assistant professor in the Department of Surgery at Harvard Medical School in Boston. "We have learned that the brain is malleable, even six months or more after a stroke, which is a longer period of time than previously thought."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stroke is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and a principal cause of severe long-term disability. Approximately 700,000 strokes occur annually in the U.S., and 80 percent to 90 percent of stroke survivors have motor weakness.
Previously, it was believed that there was only a short window of three to six months following a stroke when rehabilitation could make an improvement.
"Our research is important because 65 percent of people who have a stroke affecting hand use are still unable to incorporate the affected hand into their daily activities after six months," Dr. Tzika said.
Dr. Tzika is an affiliated member of the Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging in the Department of Radiology at MGH, where the research is ongoing.
To determine if stroke rehabilitation after six months was possible, the researchers studied five right-hand dominant patients who had strokes at least six months prior that affected the left side of the brain and, consequently, use of the right hand.
For the study, the patients squeezed a special MR-compatible robotic device for an hour a day, three days per week for four weeks. fMRI exams were performed before, during, upon completion of training and after a non-training period to assess permanence of rehabilitation. fMRI measures the tiny changes in blood oxygenation level that occur when a part of the brain is active.
The results showed that rehabilitation using hand training significantly increased activation in the cortex, which is the area in the brain that corresponds with hand use. Furthermore, the increased cortical activation persisted in the stroke patients who had exercised during the training period but then stopped for several months.
"These findings should give hope to people who have had strokes, their families and the rehabilitative specialists who treat them," Dr. Tzika said.
Co-authors are Dionyssios Mintzopoulos, Ph.D., Azadeh Khanicheh, Ph.D., Bruce Rosen, M.D., Ph.D., Loukas Astrakas, Ph.D., and Michael Moskowitz, M.D.
This is the first study using fMRI to map the brain in order to track stroke rehabilitation.
"We have shown that the brain has the ability to regain function through rehabilitative exercises following a stroke," said A. Aria Tzika, Ph.D., director of the NMR Surgical Laboratory at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Shriners Burn Institute and assistant professor in the Department of Surgery at Harvard Medical School in Boston. "We have learned that the brain is malleable, even six months or more after a stroke, which is a longer period of time than previously thought."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stroke is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. and a principal cause of severe long-term disability. Approximately 700,000 strokes occur annually in the U.S., and 80 percent to 90 percent of stroke survivors have motor weakness.
Previously, it was believed that there was only a short window of three to six months following a stroke when rehabilitation could make an improvement.
"Our research is important because 65 percent of people who have a stroke affecting hand use are still unable to incorporate the affected hand into their daily activities after six months," Dr. Tzika said.
Dr. Tzika is an affiliated member of the Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging in the Department of Radiology at MGH, where the research is ongoing.
To determine if stroke rehabilitation after six months was possible, the researchers studied five right-hand dominant patients who had strokes at least six months prior that affected the left side of the brain and, consequently, use of the right hand.
For the study, the patients squeezed a special MR-compatible robotic device for an hour a day, three days per week for four weeks. fMRI exams were performed before, during, upon completion of training and after a non-training period to assess permanence of rehabilitation. fMRI measures the tiny changes in blood oxygenation level that occur when a part of the brain is active.
The results showed that rehabilitation using hand training significantly increased activation in the cortex, which is the area in the brain that corresponds with hand use. Furthermore, the increased cortical activation persisted in the stroke patients who had exercised during the training period but then stopped for several months.
"These findings should give hope to people who have had strokes, their families and the rehabilitative specialists who treat them," Dr. Tzika said.
Co-authors are Dionyssios Mintzopoulos, Ph.D., Azadeh Khanicheh, Ph.D., Bruce Rosen, M.D., Ph.D., Loukas Astrakas, Ph.D., and Michael Moskowitz, M.D.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Alzheimer's Disease: Women Affected More Often Than Men
The Society for Women's Health Research (SWHR) issued the following newsrelease:Alzheimer's Disease: Women Affected More Often than Men
Nearly 4.5 million people suffer from Alzheimer's disease (AD) in ourcountry, and more than half of them are women, according to the NationalInstitute on Aging in Bethesda, Md. As the general population continuesto age, this number is expected to increase significantly over the nextfew decades.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, a group ofbrain disorders that interferes with a person's ability to carry outdaily activities. In AD, areas of the brain change and deteriorate,which causes a decline in cognition and memory functioning. In somepatients, the deficits are large enough to get in the way of performingnormal, everyday tasks.
There is evidence that AD affects women differently than men. "Manystudies of gender differences in cognition have pointed to greaterlanguage deficits in women with Alzheimer's disease as compared to men,"explains Michael S. Rafii, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Memory DisordersClinic and an attending neurologist at the Shiley-Marcos AlzheimerDisease Research Center at the University of California, San Diego."Naming and word-recognition skills have been reported to be moreadversely affected in female patients with AD than in male patients, andthe differences have been shown to be sustained over time."Notable sex and gender differences in behavior among Alzheimer patientshave been observed as well. "
Male patients exhibit greater problems thanfemale patients in wandering, abusiveness and social impropriety,particularly in the more advanced stages of the disorder," Rafii pointsout. In fact, major tranquilizers and behavior management programs areused more frequently on male patients.While there is currently no cure for AD, researchers continue to makeprogress. More drugs are being studied, and researchers have identifiedseveral genes associated with the disease. "Recent work has been focusedon identifying the molecule that may be causing AD symptoms," saysRafii. Researchers from the University of Minnesota and Johns HopkinsUniversity "discovered a protein complex in the brain that appears toimpair memory."Combined with sophisticated imaging techniques, this discovery isenabling scientists to take a clear picture of the protein deposits inthe brain. According to Rafii, "This could lead to accurate diagnosis ofAD at very early stages.Previously, a definitive diagnosis of the disease could only be madethrough an autopsy after the patient's death, typically at a very latestage of the illness."
Diagnosing AD can be tricky, especially because many people are underthe assumption that forgetfulness is a normal part of the aging process.But patients with AD suffer from much more than simple memory lapses.
Here are a few common signs and symptoms of the disease:- Persistent forgetfulness or memory loss-
Disorientation-
Problems performing routine tasks-
Inability to express thoughts coherently or finish sentences- Loss of judgment-
Changes in personality
As in other diseases, early diagnosis is very important for patientswith AD. Certain medications have been found to be useful in the earlierstages of the disease, so the sooner the diagnosis is made, the better.
Nearly 4.5 million people suffer from Alzheimer's disease (AD) in ourcountry, and more than half of them are women, according to the NationalInstitute on Aging in Bethesda, Md. As the general population continuesto age, this number is expected to increase significantly over the nextfew decades.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, a group ofbrain disorders that interferes with a person's ability to carry outdaily activities. In AD, areas of the brain change and deteriorate,which causes a decline in cognition and memory functioning. In somepatients, the deficits are large enough to get in the way of performingnormal, everyday tasks.
There is evidence that AD affects women differently than men. "Manystudies of gender differences in cognition have pointed to greaterlanguage deficits in women with Alzheimer's disease as compared to men,"explains Michael S. Rafii, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Memory DisordersClinic and an attending neurologist at the Shiley-Marcos AlzheimerDisease Research Center at the University of California, San Diego."Naming and word-recognition skills have been reported to be moreadversely affected in female patients with AD than in male patients, andthe differences have been shown to be sustained over time."Notable sex and gender differences in behavior among Alzheimer patientshave been observed as well. "
Male patients exhibit greater problems thanfemale patients in wandering, abusiveness and social impropriety,particularly in the more advanced stages of the disorder," Rafii pointsout. In fact, major tranquilizers and behavior management programs areused more frequently on male patients.While there is currently no cure for AD, researchers continue to makeprogress. More drugs are being studied, and researchers have identifiedseveral genes associated with the disease. "Recent work has been focusedon identifying the molecule that may be causing AD symptoms," saysRafii. Researchers from the University of Minnesota and Johns HopkinsUniversity "discovered a protein complex in the brain that appears toimpair memory."Combined with sophisticated imaging techniques, this discovery isenabling scientists to take a clear picture of the protein deposits inthe brain. According to Rafii, "This could lead to accurate diagnosis ofAD at very early stages.Previously, a definitive diagnosis of the disease could only be madethrough an autopsy after the patient's death, typically at a very latestage of the illness."
Diagnosing AD can be tricky, especially because many people are underthe assumption that forgetfulness is a normal part of the aging process.But patients with AD suffer from much more than simple memory lapses.
Here are a few common signs and symptoms of the disease:- Persistent forgetfulness or memory loss-
Disorientation-
Problems performing routine tasks-
Inability to express thoughts coherently or finish sentences- Loss of judgment-
Changes in personality
As in other diseases, early diagnosis is very important for patientswith AD. Certain medications have been found to be useful in the earlierstages of the disease, so the sooner the diagnosis is made, the better.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Veterans w/ TBI at Risk for dementia, aggression, memory loss, depression, & symptoms similar to those of Parkinson's disease
Today the U.S. Institute of Medicine released the following announcement:Contacts: Christine Stencel, Media Relations OfficerAlison Burnette, Media Relations AssistantOffice of News and Public Information202-334-2138; e-mail <news@nas.edu>Date: Dec. 4, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMilitary Personnel With Traumatic Brain Injury at Risk for Serious Long-Term Health ProblemsMilitary personnel who suffer severe or moderate traumatic brain injury(TBI) face an increased risk for developing several long-term healthproblems, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine thatevaluates the evidence on long-term consequences of TBI.These conditions include Alzheimer's-like dementia, aggression, memoryloss, depression, and symptoms similar to those of Parkinson's disease.Even mild TBI is associated with some of these adverse consequences,noted the committee that wrote the report.In addition, the report notes that brain injuries sustained as a resultof exposure to the force of an explosion without a direct strike to thehead -- one of the most common perils for soldiers in Iraq andAfghanistan -- may be underdiagnosed due to the lack of research onblast injury. It calls for the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S.Department of Veterans Affairs to step up clinical and animal studies ofblast-induced neurotrauma (BINT)."Explosive devices and other weaponry have become more powerful anddevastating throughout the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and we areseeing much higher rates of nonpenetrating traumatic brain injury andblast-induced injury among military personnel who have served in thesecountries than in earlier wars," said George W. Rutherford, professor ofepidemiology and preventive medicine and vice chair, department ofepidemiology and biostatistics, School of Medicine, University ofCalifornia, San Francisco, and chair of the committee that wrote thereport. "It is important to identify and understand any long-termhealth effects of these injuries so that wounded service members do notlose valuable time for therapy and rehabilitation."As of January, more than 5,500 military personnel have suffered TBIsduring the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to DOD. Theprolific use of explosive weaponry in Iraq has made blast-relatedinjuries the signature wound of the war, with many service membershaving been exposed to multiple explosions.Although recent clinical findings and military experience have shownthat short-term and long-term neurologic deficits may result fromexposure to the energy of a blast without a direct blow to the head, theprevailing opinion among neurological professionals had been that blast-related impairments were rare because the skull adequately shields thebrain. The report recommends that VA and DOD support research on BINTand the development of a good animal model of BINT, which is currentlylacking. Without good research data, neurological and behavioralchanges in blast victims may be underestimated and undiagnosed, andthese individuals may not get timely needed treatment, the report notes.TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe. The committee's review of theresearch on TBI at all levels of severity determined that there issufficient evidence that brain injuries resulting from severe, skull-piercing wounds can cause unprovoked seizures and premature death.Seizures can also be caused by severe, nonpenetrating TBI as well asmore moderate brain injury.Studies link both moderate and severe TBI with other long-termconsequences, including increased risk for Alzheimer's-like dementia,symptoms similar to those of Parkinson's disease, and diminishedabilities to maintain social relationships. Other data links mild TBIto increased risk for PTSD among Gulf War veterans. The evidence inthese cases shows an association, but it is not sufficient to concludethat TBI causes these problems. Likewise, TBI at any level of severity-- even mild -- appears to be associated with increased risk foraggressive behavior, depression, and memory and concentration problems.TBI may be associated with certain other potential consequences, but theevidence is only suggestive of a link. For example, moderate and severeTBI may put individuals at greater risk for developing diabetesinsipidus and psychosis, but the evidence is limited. Some data suggestthat mild TBI accompanied by loss of consciousness is linked to thedevelopment of symptoms similar to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseaseas well as vision problems and seizures, but the data have significantshortcomings. Likewise, TBI at all levels of severity may be linked toreduced alcohol and drug use within the first few years following theinjury, but there is inadequate evidence to be certain.Due to insufficient evidence, it is not possible to say whether mild TBIcan result in neurocognitive deficits or loss of ability to functionsocially. Also, the evidence does not indicate whether mild TBI thatwas not accompanied by loss of consciousness could lead to thedevelopment of Alzheimer's-like dementia, or whether any TBI is linkedto mania, bipolar disorder, multiple sclerosis, or amyotrophic lateralsclerosis.To develop a fuller picture of the effects of TBI and blast injuries,the committee recommended that DOD conduct pre-deployment neurocognitivetests of all military personnel to establish a baseline for identifyingpost-injury consequences and that the VA include uninjured servicemembers and other comparison groups in the Traumatic Brain InjuryVeterans Health Registry which it is building.The study was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.Established in 1970 under the charter of the National Academy ofSciences, the Institute of Medicine provides independent, objective,evidence-based advice to policymakers, health professionals, the privatesector, and the public. The National Academy of Sciences, NationalAcademy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National ResearchCouncil make up the National Academies. A committee roster follows.Copies of Gulf War and Health: Long-Term Consequences of TBI areavailable from the National Academies Press; tel. 202-334-3313 or1-800-624-6242 or on the Internet at http://www.nap.edu. Reporters mayobtain a copy from the Office of News and Public Information (contactslisted above).
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEMilitary Personnel With Traumatic Brain Injury at Risk for Serious Long-Term Health ProblemsMilitary personnel who suffer severe or moderate traumatic brain injury(TBI) face an increased risk for developing several long-term healthproblems, says a new report from the Institute of Medicine thatevaluates the evidence on long-term consequences of TBI.These conditions include Alzheimer's-like dementia, aggression, memoryloss, depression, and symptoms similar to those of Parkinson's disease.Even mild TBI is associated with some of these adverse consequences,noted the committee that wrote the report.In addition, the report notes that brain injuries sustained as a resultof exposure to the force of an explosion without a direct strike to thehead -- one of the most common perils for soldiers in Iraq andAfghanistan -- may be underdiagnosed due to the lack of research onblast injury. It calls for the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S.Department of Veterans Affairs to step up clinical and animal studies ofblast-induced neurotrauma (BINT)."Explosive devices and other weaponry have become more powerful anddevastating throughout the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and we areseeing much higher rates of nonpenetrating traumatic brain injury andblast-induced injury among military personnel who have served in thesecountries than in earlier wars," said George W. Rutherford, professor ofepidemiology and preventive medicine and vice chair, department ofepidemiology and biostatistics, School of Medicine, University ofCalifornia, San Francisco, and chair of the committee that wrote thereport. "It is important to identify and understand any long-termhealth effects of these injuries so that wounded service members do notlose valuable time for therapy and rehabilitation."As of January, more than 5,500 military personnel have suffered TBIsduring the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to DOD. Theprolific use of explosive weaponry in Iraq has made blast-relatedinjuries the signature wound of the war, with many service membershaving been exposed to multiple explosions.Although recent clinical findings and military experience have shownthat short-term and long-term neurologic deficits may result fromexposure to the energy of a blast without a direct blow to the head, theprevailing opinion among neurological professionals had been that blast-related impairments were rare because the skull adequately shields thebrain. The report recommends that VA and DOD support research on BINTand the development of a good animal model of BINT, which is currentlylacking. Without good research data, neurological and behavioralchanges in blast victims may be underestimated and undiagnosed, andthese individuals may not get timely needed treatment, the report notes.TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe. The committee's review of theresearch on TBI at all levels of severity determined that there issufficient evidence that brain injuries resulting from severe, skull-piercing wounds can cause unprovoked seizures and premature death.Seizures can also be caused by severe, nonpenetrating TBI as well asmore moderate brain injury.Studies link both moderate and severe TBI with other long-termconsequences, including increased risk for Alzheimer's-like dementia,symptoms similar to those of Parkinson's disease, and diminishedabilities to maintain social relationships. Other data links mild TBIto increased risk for PTSD among Gulf War veterans. The evidence inthese cases shows an association, but it is not sufficient to concludethat TBI causes these problems. Likewise, TBI at any level of severity-- even mild -- appears to be associated with increased risk foraggressive behavior, depression, and memory and concentration problems.TBI may be associated with certain other potential consequences, but theevidence is only suggestive of a link. For example, moderate and severeTBI may put individuals at greater risk for developing diabetesinsipidus and psychosis, but the evidence is limited. Some data suggestthat mild TBI accompanied by loss of consciousness is linked to thedevelopment of symptoms similar to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseaseas well as vision problems and seizures, but the data have significantshortcomings. Likewise, TBI at all levels of severity may be linked toreduced alcohol and drug use within the first few years following theinjury, but there is inadequate evidence to be certain.Due to insufficient evidence, it is not possible to say whether mild TBIcan result in neurocognitive deficits or loss of ability to functionsocially. Also, the evidence does not indicate whether mild TBI thatwas not accompanied by loss of consciousness could lead to thedevelopment of Alzheimer's-like dementia, or whether any TBI is linkedto mania, bipolar disorder, multiple sclerosis, or amyotrophic lateralsclerosis.To develop a fuller picture of the effects of TBI and blast injuries,the committee recommended that DOD conduct pre-deployment neurocognitivetests of all military personnel to establish a baseline for identifyingpost-injury consequences and that the VA include uninjured servicemembers and other comparison groups in the Traumatic Brain InjuryVeterans Health Registry which it is building.The study was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.Established in 1970 under the charter of the National Academy ofSciences, the Institute of Medicine provides independent, objective,evidence-based advice to policymakers, health professionals, the privatesector, and the public. The National Academy of Sciences, NationalAcademy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National ResearchCouncil make up the National Academies. A committee roster follows.Copies of Gulf War and Health: Long-Term Consequences of TBI areavailable from the National Academies Press; tel. 202-334-3313 or1-800-624-6242 or on the Internet at http://www.nap.edu. Reporters mayobtain a copy from the Office of News and Public Information (contactslisted above).
Alzheimer's Disease Biomarkers in Healthy Adults
New Study Identifies Link Between Alzheimer's Disease Biomarkers In Healthy Adults
ScienceDaily (Dec. 5, 2008) — A new study provides an insight into normal, physiological levels and association between proteins involved in development of Alzheimer's disease.
A group of scientists and physicians from the University of Washington and Puget Sound Veterans' Affairs Health Care System in Seattle, in collaboration with groups from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of California San Diego, performed a study in cognitively normal and generally healthy adults, from young to old (age range 21-88 years), of both genders, measuring levels of different brain-derived molecules associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Investigators determined that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of apolipoprotein E (apoE), one of the most important proteins involved in transfer of fatty substances between different brain cells, are highly correlated with the levels of proteins known to be involved in development of Alzheimer's disease, amyloid precursor protein (APP) and tau.
While many studies have previously shown that apoE gene is very important for Alzheimer's disease development, the connection between apoE protein and other relevant CSF markers in healthy adults was not known. Although this type of study cannot establish causal associations, the results strongly suggest that the CSF levels of apoE may explain a significant proportion of the levels of APP- and tau-related biological markers in the healthy human brain, indicating a strong physiological link between apoE, APP and tau. In other words, the study points to a possibility that modulation of the levels of apoE may affect the levels of APP and tau in the brain.
Furthermore, the study has shown that people who have a "beneficial" genetic form of apoE (so-called APOE2), which is associated with lower risk of Alzheimer's disease, have lower CSF levels of beta-amyloid peptide 42, a molecule implicated in development of Alzheimer's disease plaques. This finding may explain some of the basis for the known protective effects of the APOE2 observed in large population studies.
Dr. Simona Vuletic, Northwest Lipid Metabolism and Diabetes Research Laboratories, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, commented, "Understanding the associations between these important molecules in the brain of cognitively normal, healthy people will help us develop better strategies not only for diagnosis, but possibly also better prevention and treatment for Alzheimer's disease. This study also provides baseline data and an opportunity to understand how these normal relationships change, leading to the disease."
Journal reference:
Simona Vuletic, Ge Li, Elaine R. Peskind, Hal Kennedy, Santica M. Marcovina, James B. Leverenz, Eric C. Petrie, Virginia M-Y. Lee, Douglas Galasko, Gerard D. Schellenberg, John J. Albers. Apolipoprotein E Highly Correlates with AßPP- and Tau-Related Markers in Human Cerebrospinal Fluid. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 15:3; November 2008
ScienceDaily (Dec. 5, 2008) — A new study provides an insight into normal, physiological levels and association between proteins involved in development of Alzheimer's disease.
A group of scientists and physicians from the University of Washington and Puget Sound Veterans' Affairs Health Care System in Seattle, in collaboration with groups from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of California San Diego, performed a study in cognitively normal and generally healthy adults, from young to old (age range 21-88 years), of both genders, measuring levels of different brain-derived molecules associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Investigators determined that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of apolipoprotein E (apoE), one of the most important proteins involved in transfer of fatty substances between different brain cells, are highly correlated with the levels of proteins known to be involved in development of Alzheimer's disease, amyloid precursor protein (APP) and tau.
While many studies have previously shown that apoE gene is very important for Alzheimer's disease development, the connection between apoE protein and other relevant CSF markers in healthy adults was not known. Although this type of study cannot establish causal associations, the results strongly suggest that the CSF levels of apoE may explain a significant proportion of the levels of APP- and tau-related biological markers in the healthy human brain, indicating a strong physiological link between apoE, APP and tau. In other words, the study points to a possibility that modulation of the levels of apoE may affect the levels of APP and tau in the brain.
Furthermore, the study has shown that people who have a "beneficial" genetic form of apoE (so-called APOE2), which is associated with lower risk of Alzheimer's disease, have lower CSF levels of beta-amyloid peptide 42, a molecule implicated in development of Alzheimer's disease plaques. This finding may explain some of the basis for the known protective effects of the APOE2 observed in large population studies.
Dr. Simona Vuletic, Northwest Lipid Metabolism and Diabetes Research Laboratories, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, commented, "Understanding the associations between these important molecules in the brain of cognitively normal, healthy people will help us develop better strategies not only for diagnosis, but possibly also better prevention and treatment for Alzheimer's disease. This study also provides baseline data and an opportunity to understand how these normal relationships change, leading to the disease."
Journal reference:
Simona Vuletic, Ge Li, Elaine R. Peskind, Hal Kennedy, Santica M. Marcovina, James B. Leverenz, Eric C. Petrie, Virginia M-Y. Lee, Douglas Galasko, Gerard D. Schellenberg, John J. Albers. Apolipoprotein E Highly Correlates with AßPP- and Tau-Related Markers in Human Cerebrospinal Fluid. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 15:3; November 2008
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