Malnutrition in the brain will gradually lead to Alzheimer's

Malnutrition on the brain in the long run is one of the biochemical factors that cause some forms of Alzhemier, demikia according to a new study that aims to memecahkankan mystery of the origin of the disease.

The disease is expected to start at the age of 60, and the risk increases with age. Robert Vassar of Northwestern University, primary author of the study, found that when the brain does not have enough glucose, which can occur when the limits of cardiovascular disease from the arterial blood flow to the brain. This is a process that will stimulate the production of protein aggregates that have the potential to cause Alzheimer's.

After working with the human and rat brain, Vassar found that the main protein in the brain affected when the energy supply to the brain decreases. These proteins, called eIF2alpha, increased production of enzymes, which in turn aggregate proteins meproduksi. 'This discovery is significant, because he suggested that increases blood flow to the brain can be an effective therapeutic approach to prevent and treat Alzheimer's', so says Vassar.

The best way to increase blood flow to the brain, and reduce the risk to get Alzheimer's is to reduce intake of cholesterol, regulate blood pressure, and sports, especially in middle age. 'If you start from the beginning, then the disease can be avoided. "Vassar said. For those who already have symptoms, vasodilator (widening of blood vessels), can increase the intake of oxygen and glucose to the brain, so extra from him. This study was published in the journal Neuron.

Control what you eat

When speaking of prevention of Alzheimer's, eating candy is not the solution to increase the flow of blood glucose to the brain, according to Vassar. Decreased blood flow to the brain occurs in the course of the aging process, and gradually cause the brain to lack of glucose. This is a phenomenon of aging in general, Vassar said. Also, decreased blood flow associated with atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, and hypertension, high blood pressure.

'We have to improve cardiovascular health, not excess sugar mengasup', says Vassar. 'What is gained from epidemiological studies is now sporting a middle-aged is one of the best preventive strategy against Alzheimer's disease, so people should remain physically active, and they must maintain a diet and reduce intake of cholesterol, since cholesterol contribute to artherosclerosis. According to Vassar, it is possible to design drugs to block the launch of protein elF2alfa formation of protein aggregates, called amyloid plaques.

Initial discovery

Ten years ago, Vassar discovered enzyme, BACE1, is responsible for making sticky protein aggregates that formed outside the neurons, and interfere with their ability to send a message. But the cause of high levels of protein in people with the disease was not known. Vassar's latest study also shows that the energy shortage in the brain can stimulate the formation of plaques in Alzheimer's disease. Vassar said that the work he showed that Alzheimer's disease can be caused by several types of energy shortage that occurred in the stroke. Brain cells react by increasing BACE1, which can be a short-term protective response, but damaging in the long term.

"Stroke is a barrier that prevents blood flow and produces cell death during the acute and dramatic," said Vassar. "What are we talking about here is a slow process that took place many years, where people have a low propensity to cardiovascular disease or artherosclerosisi. He is not felt, but has a long-term effects, because it produces a chronic reduction in blood flow. "Vassar also stressed that if the person has reached a certain age, some will have increased levels of an enzyme that causes plaque.