Yesterday we considered some interesting Alzheimer's Disease research findings [1]. In other AD related research the conclusion was reached that prevention is easier than cure. I am sometimes amazed that what appears to be such an obvious principle can feature as a conclusion expressed with such profundity, as though it were a new concept.
This is the conclusion reached in a study by Todd E. Golde at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Florida, USA. The research results will be published in the January 2006 issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation. The study is titled: Anti-Abeta42 and Anti-Abeta40-specific monoclonal antibodies attenuate amyloid deposition in an Alzheimer disease mouse model.
Current hypotheses suggest that it is the accumulation over time of amyloid beta peptide 1-42 (Abeta42) that triggers changes in the brain that lead to cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. The reduction of amyloid levels is therefore a major therapeutic objective. Todd Golde and colleagues from the Mayo Clinic Jacksonville report evidence to suggest that prevention of amyloid deposition may be easier than curing established Alzheimer's disease.
The authors use transgenic mice genetically predisposed to accumulate amyloid deposits in their brain to show that an immunization strategy targeting Abeta42, or a second form of Abeta known as Abeta40, prevents the onset of amyloid deposition in these mice at a young age. In contrast, the anti-Abeta42 or anti-Abeta40 monoclonal antibodies were not effective in altering Abeta deposition in mice with modest levels of preexisting Abeta deposits, nor were they capable of clearing existing deposits. The results suggest that it may be easier to prevent Abeta deposition than to alter Abeta once deposited.
This method may be an effective strategy to prevent amyloid deposition prior to the onset of Alzheimer's disease, but may have limited benefit in a therapeutic setting where amyloid deposits are already well established within the brain.
Again, one has to ask why the adverse deposits happen in the first place. Understanding of the cause can be achieved at many levels. Golde's research is one way. I am interested in a more fundamental understanding. Certainly, as I suggested yesterday, maintaining a clean, non-toxic cellular environment through healthy living, a suitable diet (certainly devoid of junk food and highly refined products) and occasional cleansing is a very wise approach to take.