In a study that could redefine our understanding of Alzheimer's, researchers have revealed how the disease may have been unexpectedly transmitted between people through medical treatments. For years, Alzheimer's was seen as an unfathomable mystery, a hereditary condition or the result of chance. However, this new research illuminates a neglected pathway: the transmission of amyloid-beta protein using growth hormones.
The protein that binds fates
The heart of the matter lies in beta-amyloid protein traditionally associated with the formation of brain plaques characteristic of Alzheimer's. The study, published in Nature Medicine (I link it here), highlights how some individuals, treated at a young age with the growth hormone c-hGH derived from the pituitary gland of cadavers, developed symptoms of dementia linked to Alzheimer's years later.
This hormone was used to treat growth retardation, but was withdrawn from the market in 1985. A necessary action, after it was discovered that it could transmit Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, the so-called "mad cow" disease.
Medical treatments with growth hormone and Alzheimer's. An unexpected bond
The correlation between c-hGH treatment and the early development of beta-amyloid protein deposits in the brain opens new perspectives on how Alzheimer's is transmitted. The cases studied show how the disease can manifest itself at an unusually early age. And this, moreover, is the clearest proof of a direct correlation with the therapies received. This previously unsuspected connection highlights the need to better understand the pathways through which Alzheimer's can spread.
Although treatment with c-hGH has ceased, the discovery raises questions about the safety of other medical procedures. It is essential to review safety measures to prevent the accidental transmission of pathogenic proteins, such as beta-amyloid. Especially in procedures previously associated with the transmission of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Research highlights the importance of a proactive approach in preventing neurodegenerative diseases.
If self-replicating protein aggregates are the underlying cause of Alzheimer's disease, then the disease is, in principle, transmissible.
Dieter Willbold, University of Düsseldorf
Towards a new horizon in the fight against Alzheimer's
Confirmation that Alzheimer's can be transmitted through specific medical treatments broadens our scope of investigation into the disease. Understanding transmission dynamics could be the key to developing more effective preventive strategies and to approaching the fight against this devastating condition with new eyes. The discovery, while worrying, offers a unique opportunity to advance Alzheimer's research and treatment, with the ultimate goal of safeguarding future generations from a similar fate.
This study represents a turning point in the understanding of Alzheimer's disease, underscoring the complexity of its transmission and the need for continued vigilance in medical practice. The research, led by Dr. Gargi Banerjee sheds light on previously obscure aspects of the disease and lays the foundation for future insights that could lead to even more significant discoveries in the fight against Alzheimer's.
