Alzheimer's: Why does it occur, and how can we prevent it?

For my first Neuro Note assignment, I chose to watch "What you can do to prevent Alzheimer's," a TED Talk by Lisa Genova. I chose to learn more about this topic because the incidence and prevalence of Alzheimer's seems to be steadily climbing. In high school, I frequently visited by great-grandmother who suffered from a stroke, and later, an Alzheimer's diagnosis. In college, I read a book called, Sum It Up, by famous basketball coach, Pat Summit. In the book, Summit painted a beautiful picture of her life and her battle with early-onset Alzheimer's. Both my grandmother and Pat  lost some memories and information that their brain had once had readily on hand, but neither lost their emotion-- their ability to feel love, joy, and excitement. Lisa Genova acknowledges this phenomenon by saying, "You are more than what you can remember." I recommend her TED Talk to others who want to learn more about the etiology of Alzheimer's and practical ways to avoid its effects in your own life. My reflection of the video can be seen below.

Most people know someone or have been directly affected by an Alzheimer's diagnosis. TED speaker and neuroscientist, Lisa Genova, asserts that by the time we are 80 years old, 1 in every 2 people will either have symptoms of Alzheimer's, or will be caring for someone who does. Many individuals fear that Alzheimer's is an inevitable destiny. After all, there is no cure and really no definitive treatment for those with the disease. However, research shows that there are ways to prevent the devastating effects of Alzheimer's. First, it is important to understand how Alzheimer's begins taking root in the human brain.

Alzheimer's disease begins in the synapse. Synapses are the home of neurotransmitters that are sent from one nerve cell to another. They are the bridge over which information crosses and becomes useful for us in our daily lives. PET scans reveal that a peptide, called amyloid-beta, accumulates in the synapses of an Alzheimer's brain forming plaques and tangles. Usually, these peptides are cleaned up and maintained by microglia, so when build-up begins, microglia are sent into over-drive. This hyperactivity can cause inflammation and cellular damage, sometimes clearing out entire synapses. After this tipping point, Alzheimer's is difficult to treat, so current scientists are focused on keeping amyloid plaques from reaching this detrimental level. The cure for Alzheimer's will likely be a preventative medicine.

For most people, DNA alone does not determine one's Alzheimer's destiny. The way we live can have a profound impact on amyloid-beta accumulation. For example, sleep deprivation (even for just one night!) can cause an increase in amyloid-beta. Deep sleep cleanses our brains, and it is vital for preventing Alzheimer's disease. Individuals with poor cardiovascular health are also at higher risk. While high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, and obesity increase plaque formation, aerobic exercise and a Mediterranean diet can help reduce risk. One final way to prevent synaptic loss is through a process called neuroplasticity, or the formation of new synaptic connections. In adulthood, we increase synapses by learning new things, or as Genova explains, adding to our "cognitive reserve."  This can't be done by simply practicing crossword puzzles or retrieving information we already know. It is accomplished by learning new things (learning a new language, meeting new friends, reading a new article, watching a new TED Talk). The more education and stimulation one has, the more synapses Alzheimer's will have to damage for its effects to actually be felt and seen.


TED. (2017, May 19). What you can do to prevent Alzheimer's [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twG4mr6Jov0