Low weight may be an early sign of Alzheimer's disease
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Scientists from the University of Kansas Center for Alzheimer's Disease (Kansas City, USA) conducted a study on the relationship between the body mass index (BMI) and Alzheimer's disease.
Head of the study Jeffrey M. Burns used advanced methods of brain imaging, as well as analysis of cerebrospinal fluid in 506 people to identify biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease. These biomarkers can be detected several years before the onset of symptoms of the first symptoms of the disease.
Biomarker is a biochemical feature that is used to assess the progression of the disease - it can also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.
In the study, the researchers found that people who had biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease usually had a lower BMI than those without biomarkers, including participants without any identification problems or with mild cognitive impairment.
In 85% of participants with mild cognitive impairment, whose BMI was below 25, beta-amyloid plaques in the brain were detected, which is a sign of the development of Alzheimer's disease. Whereas, only in 48% of people with moderate cognitive impairment who were overweight, beta-amyloid plaques in the brain were detected. The same differences were found among participants without problems of thinking or memory.
Dr. Burns said: "These findings suggest that brain changes in Alzheimer's disease are associated with systemic metabolic changes at the earliest stages of the disease due to damage to the hypothalamus, which plays a role in regulating energy metabolism and food intake."
Further research should answer the question: is this relationship a reflection of a systemic response to the disease or is it a sign that predisposes a person to the development of the disease.
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease, known as senile dementia, is a progressive neurological disease of the brain, which leads to an irreversible loss of neurons and intellectual abilities, including thinking and memory. The deterioration eventually becomes serious enough that it completely undermines the social and professional aspects of a person's life.
During the course of the disease, plaques and coils develop in the brain structure, as a result of which the brain cells die. Patients with Alzheimer's disease have an inadequate level of some neurotransmitters, vital chemicals that are involved in communication between neurons of the brain.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. The situation becomes even worse with time, therefore it is called a progressive disease. To date, there is no effective treatment for this disease. There are ways to slow her progression and cure some symptoms. Alzheimer's disease is an incurable disease that leads to death.
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