A Breakdown of the Recent Alzheimer’s Riddle: Immune System Implicated
For decades now, the scientific community has been grappling with the complex puzzle of Alzheimer’s disease. The prevailing theory centered around sticky protein clumps called beta-amyloid, implicating them as the primary culprits behind memory loss and cognitive decline. Recently, the narrative has been thrown into question, taking a new and surprising turn.
Challenging the Status Quo:
Researchers at the University of Toronto, after decades of dedicated research, propose a paradigm shift in our understanding of Alzheimer’s. Leading this re-evaluation is professor of chemistry Donald Weaver, who emphasizes that Alzheimer’s isn’t merely a brain problem. "We no longer consider Alzheimer’s solely a disease of the brain," explains Weaver. Think of it more akin to an autoimmune sickness of the brain.
A New Perspective on Beta-Amyloid:
Previous treatment efforts have attempted to simply clear deposited beta-amyloid. The new perspective, however, paints beta-amyloid in a different light. Imagine ago: a complex immune system activity gone awry.
Similar to immune responses against infecting pathogens, beta-amyloid, in this theory, acts as a
