Alzheimer’s Transmission: A Closer Look at Surprising New Findings

That Alzheimer’s isn’t transmissible like viral or bacterial infections.

 

Washington – In groundbreaking research, scientists are uncovering surprising insights into Alzheimer’s disease, suggesting that, in rare instances, the condition or its causes might be transmissible. However, it’s crucial to note that Alzheimer’s isn’t spread through everyday interaction or routine caregiving.

The Guardian reports on a study focusing on individuals who underwent treatment with human growth hormone derived from the pituitary glands of deceased donors. These individuals exhibited an early onset of Alzheimer’s, likely due to contamination with amyloid-beta protein, a key Alzheimer’s component, in the hormone treatments.

Researchers delved into data from 1959 to 1985, involving 1,848 UK patients with growth hormone deficiency treated with hormones from cadavers. This treatment method was halted in 1985 after linking it to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rare, fatal neurological condition caused by contaminated proteins in the treatment.

Eight cases, referred to the UK’s National Prion Clinic between 2017 and 2022, were scrutinized. These patients, treated with the cadaver-derived hormone in childhood, didn’t develop Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease but displayed early Alzheimer’s symptoms.

Their Alzheimer’s symptoms slightly differed from typical cases, hinting at a distinct origin or different amyloid-beta protein “strains.” The findings suggest Alzheimer’s could be transmitted through accidental inoculation with contaminated human tissue or extracts.

Professor John Colling of University College London emphasizes that Alzheimer’s isn’t transmissible like viral or bacterial infections. It only occurs under rare, specific conditions involving contaminated human tissue.

In related research, McGill University scientists found that Helicobacter pylori, a common stomach bacterium in two-thirds of the global population, might increase Alzheimer’s risk. This bacterium, linked to indigestion, gastritis, and stomach ulcers, was studied in over 4 million UK individuals aged 50 and above.

People with symptomatic H. pylori infections faced an 11% higher Alzheimer’s risk. The findings suggest infections, especially H. pylori, could affect Alzheimer’s development. This opens avenues for further research, including whether eliminating these bacteria could prevent Alzheimer’s in some cases.

With Alzheimer’s affecting millions worldwide and projected to increase, these studies highlight the multifaceted nature of its causes and potential new prevention strategies.

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