Sunday, November 21, 2010

Blot Clots In Relation to Alzheimer's Disease

Signs that a stroke has occurred are often found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. And there is new evidence that these blood clots such as these may play a significant role in Alzheimer's Disease--causing poor blood flow to the brain.

The protein fragment that plays a defining role in Alzheimer's, beta-amyloid, can stimulate the formation of resilient blood clots. Using mice, researchers found that anti-clotting drugs improved memory. The downside is that anticoagulants carry a risk of hemorrhage.

Beta-amyloid accumulates in the blood vessels that feed the brain, cutting off the brain's blood supply.

It is hoped that researchers will be able "to develop drugs that are capable of safely improving cerebrall blood flow and staving off dementia in Alzheimer's disease."

Neuron, June 10, 2010


2 comments:

Anita said...

I hope research will continue at a good pace for this disease. So many people are living with it; alive because medicine has cured their other life threatening diseases, but unable to cure this one. We need a mind and body balance.

Diane J Standiford said...

Wow, brain blood flow being looked into as MS cause. Interesting.