![Stress Triggers Alzheimer`s Disease Stress Triggers Alzheimer`s Disease](https://images.medindia.net/health-images/1200_1000/alzheimers-disease1.jpg)
Stress steroids could affect the brain's general activity, said Sara Bengtsson, of Sweden's Umea University.
Chronically elevated levels of one in particular, called allopregnanolone, accelerated the disease development in research involving mice, she stated.
When levels of the steroid were increased, the mice with Alzheimer's developed impaired learning and memory. They also developed increased brain levels of amyloid beta, the proteins that form devastating plaques in Alzheimer's disease, the researchers found.
The study also showed that high levels of these amyloids were directly linked to the dysfunction in brain synapses, the connections between nerve cells.
It is the loss of synapses that brings about memory loss, mood swings and communication problems in those suffering from Alzheimer's.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Amyloid beta is thought to build up in the brain for at least a decade before outward signs of dementia.
The researchers said that if a similar acceleration was seen in humans, it could mean the difference between sufferers managing at home and needing professional care.
Amyloid beta is thought to build up in the brain for at least a decade before outward signs of dementia.
The sticky protein forms harmful "plaques" which destroy the brains of Alzheimer's sufferers, killing off nerves and causing devastating symptoms such as memory loss and confusion.
Finding ways of preventing the plaques is seen as the key to wiping out Alzheimer's.
Dr Simon Ridley, of Alzheimer's Research UK, noted that the research was not carried out in people.
Some research has already highlighted a possible link between chronic stress, cognitive decline and the development of Alzheimer's, and Ridley said that further study in people is needed to fully investigate these links.
He suggested that if the risk factors for Alzheimer's are well understood, people could be empowered to make lifestyle changes to reduce their risk.
Source-ANI