Alzheimer’s disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Despite millions of Americans living with the disease, scientifically it is still very poorly understood. Although there are many causes of early-onset Alzheimer's, most of the signs and symptoms of this degenerative brain disease seem to be apparent in old age. While the exact causes aren’t necessarily known, a variety of factors seem to play a role in the progressive nature of the disease. In this post, we will be exploring how not only have a number of genes been linked to the development of Alzheimer’s in individuals, but also environmental factors can play a preventative role in many cases.
In the article “Systems genetics identifies Hp1bp3 as a novel modulator of cognitive aging,” Dr. Catherine Kaczorowski and colleagues examined the role of Hp1bp3 in human cognitive aging by observing its effect in a population of mice. Heterochromatin protein 1 binding protein 3 is a protein of the Hp1bp3 gene expressed in the hippocampi of mice and humans. To test their hypothesis, the research team ran a behavioral experiment on the mice through a series of foot shocks, and it was observed that the mice had reduced memory performance through knockdown of the protein. In examining the various protein levels of Hp1bp3 in mice, their results suggest that lower levels lead to age-related cognitive decline, thus lending to the idea that Hp1bp3 may play a role in the loss of cognitive function seen in Alzheimer’s disease. To translate this research over to human cognitive aging, they examined hippocampal tissue for humans with normal cognitive aging, as well as those experiencing loss of cognitive function. Analysis of these samples further confirmed that deficiency of Hp1bp3 is an underlying indicator of dementia and abnormal cognitive decline. Overall, the research team’s findings aid in the possibility of early diagnoses for those at risk for cognitive-aging diseases. In the future, regulation of this gene may guide researchers into understanding more about the genetics behind Alzheimer’s disease.
As stated before, the risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease are not limited to genetics. In fact, not only do genetic modulators such as Hp1bp3 play a role in age-related cognitive decline, but new studies have analyzed how an individual’s diet can be indicative of cognitive function. The article “What Do We Know About Diet and Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease” dives into this theory, suggesting that studies have indicated that what an individual eats affects cognitive processes. The article states that changes in the brain can occur even before the first visible symptoms of someone later diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. This has led scientists to investigate preventative measures that may aid in delaying symptoms. As discussed before, although there are many genetic indicators of Alzheimer’s, it is not possible to change the genetic mechanisms of a person. Therefore, scientists have turned toward researching factors such as diet which are under individual control. The Mediterranean diet, as well as the similar MIND diet, show a promising future in studying the effects that diet can have on age-related cognitive decline. The Mediterranean diet limits the amount of red meat and eggs an individual consumes and rather advocates for a diet centered around vegetables, fruit, and seafood among other things. Although how exactly the nutrients in this diet impact brain functionality is unclear, one possible mechanism is reduction of oxidative stress and inflammation observed in those with Alzheimer’s. Additionally, one of the risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease is high blood pressure, which is what the MIND diet works to lower. Although studies are still being done to confirm these effects, observational studies performed on those whose lifestyle centered around a MIND or Mediterranean-style diet have shown to be at lower risk for dementia and age-related cognitive decline.
In summary, much research is being done on Alzheimer’s disease, what really causes the cognitive decline observed in those suffering from the disease, and any possible preventative measures. Current studies funded by the National Institute on Aging are looking more closely into the effects of certain diets on the brain’s cognitive function and decline, and there is much evidence to support their claims. In addition, the research done by Dr. Kaczorowski and her research team on the Hp1bp3 gene and its expression levels is a potential breakthrough toward the possibility of an earlier diagnosis of those at risk for Alzheimer’s, bringing us one step closer in understanding this disease.
References:
Neuner, S.M., Garfinkel, B.P., Wilmott, L.A., Ignatowska-Jankowska, B.M., Citri, A., Orly, J. Lu, L., Overall, R.W., Mulligan, M.K., Kempermann, G., Williams, R.W., O’Connell, K.M., Kaczorowski, C.C. (2016). Systems genetics identifies Hp1bp3 as a novel modulator of cognitive aging. Neurobiology of Aging, 46: 58-67. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2016.06.008
What Do We Know About Diet and Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease? (2019, November 27). National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/what-do-we-know-about-diet-and-prevention-alzheimers-disease
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