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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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Amyloid, cholesterol and Alzheimer's disease
— research into the possible effect of diet on the process of the disease | | Author(s) | Brian Austin |
| Journal title | In: Dementia in focus: research, care and policy into the 21st century; Centre for Policy on Ageing, Research into Ageing, 1998 |
| Publisher | Centre for Policy on Ageing, London, 1998 |
| Pages | pp 35-45 (CPA reports, 24) |
| Source | Central Books, 50 Freshwater Road, Chadwell Heath, Dagenham, RM8 1RX. |
| Keywords | Dementia ; Diet ; Nutrition ; Australasia ; Research. |
| Annotation | Research at St George's Hospital Medical School, London (supported by Research into Ageing) has been looking at the influence of cholesterol on the microscopic changes that have taken place inside the brain in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. In particular its effect on the production of a toxic substance known as ß-amyloid, which is the major component of of the senile plaques found in the brains of AD patients, has been examined. These senile plaques were first identified by Alois Alzheimer, whose first patient Auguste D showed all the clinical symptoms associated with the disease. This paper also reports recent findings on the ameloid precursor protein gene known as ApoE (apolipoprotein E), possession on which poses a risk of AD. ApoE4-lipoproteins deposit cholesterol into the middle compartments of cells where precursor protein is processed to ß-amyloid. Depletion of intracellular cholesterol decreases ß-amyloid production. It seems that raised levels of cholesterol can play a role in killing neurones, albeit indirectly. The researchers' conclusions are to keep serum cholesterol levels low. More education is required to define good nutrition, including avoiding saturated fats in the diet, and taking lots of exercise. (RH). |
| Accession Number | CPA-981109004 A |
| Classmark | EA: CFD: CF: 7Y: 3A |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
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| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
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