NASA discovery on the origins of Alzheimer's

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A controversial new theory on the origins of Alzheimer's has divided opinion in the medical world, but if proved right could 'revolutionise' treatment. Conventional wisdom dictates that when tau protein joins together to form tangled fibres at the start of Alzheimer's, each tau molecule join to the fibre's tip. However, it is a different idea. "We find that it is a three-step process," scientist said. "First, molecules of the tau protein cluster together into spheres, each almost the same size. Next, the spheres join together in linear chains like beads on a string. In the third stage the beads merge together to form a uniform filament identical to those found in the brains of patients with the disease." Using atomic force microscopy, they has been using purified protein to synthesis the fibres into their various forms. He first developed his theory over a decade ago.

"This could be the most important biomedical discovery ever made at Kennedy Space Center," echoed NASA physician David Tipton, chief of the Aerospace Medicine and Environmental Health Branch at KSC. Once tau fibres accumulate, essential substances cannot move through the cell and it dies. This leads to onset of Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, Pamela Tronetti, medical director of the Parrish Senior Consultative Center, likened the potential discovery to one of the most famous in medical history. "If this theory is correct, it may very well have as great an impact on neurodegenerative disease as the discovery of germs had on infection," she said.

If his theory is correct, it may be possible to halt the disease with drugs that hinder the aggregation of the spherical colloidal particles into linear chains. Similar chemicals are already used to stabilize colloidal materials such as paints. The next step will be to test potential drugs that may be able to halt the formation of the filaments. http://www.nutraingredients.com

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