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Alzheimer's: New developments
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Much has been learned about Alzheimer's in the last decade. Much remains nature's secret. We have learned for example that a substance known as amyloid is found around the neurons (nerve cells) in the brain of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) patients. Whether a cause or a reaction is still uncertain. Cause, prevention, treatment remain unclear. (Neuron: see picture)
But small nuggets come to light from time to time. Just recently two new reports have been published. However preliminary, they are signposts scientists will follow wherever they may point.
First: Thousands of New Yorkers take statin drugs to lower cholesterol. Some of these are familiar names: Lipitor, Crestor, simvastatin to name a few.
Second: Thousands of New Yorkers have diabetes or are pre-diabetic.
Both, perhaps surprisingly, are relevant to AD.
There appears to be a correlation between taking statin drugs and reducing risk for AD. Much more study remains to be done on this link, the mechanism is unclear, but observations like this often open the door to increased understanding of a disease process.
Diabetics can also decrease their risk for AD by improving the control of their diabetes. The mechanism in this case may involve a role insulin could play in the AD disease process.
In both cases, it is not believed the improvement in cerebral circulation that comes with better cholesterol and sugar control is involved in the risk reduction. But it would not be the first time benefit from treatment preceded knowledge of the exact mechanism. Whether to use this information is something a patient and his/her physician can decide on an individual basis. But cholesterol and sugar management are worthwhile in their own right.
