The protein plaques that build up in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease appear to have an even greater impact on the brain than thought. Scientists at the Massachusetts General Hospital Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease have found evidence that the sticky plaques make nervous system cells called astrocytes more active. These cells are thought to be involved in normal brain function, but scientists have not yet found out how the brain is affected by their hyperactivity.
Kishore Kuchibhotla, lead author of the Science article, commented:
"We've only begun to scratch the surface of how plaque deposition impacts astrocyte function. One key question will be how increased astrocyte signalling impacts neuronal function, and another will be whether astrocyte activity limits or intensifies plaque deposition."
Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, said that the development may prove to be a breakthrough. It's a new and exciting area of research for Alzheimer's, so these findings mark the beginning of the journey for the scientists involved, but it is a path that may someday lead to the treatment we desperately need.
An estimated 700,000 people in the UK have dementia and this figure is expected to rise over the coming years as the population ages.