Mitochondrial Damage Plays Role in Alzheimer's
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By
VRP Staff
Researchers have discovered how mitochondrial damage occurs in Alzheimers disease and the mechanism by which the amyloid proteins formed during the disease wreak havoc on the body.
In Alzheimers disease, plaques form in the brain. These damaging plaques are comprised of amyloid proteins that are derived from a normal component of healthy cells called amyloid precursor proteins.
Researchers used human cells and a mouse model for Alzheimers disease to see how the amyloid precursor proteins affected the mitochondria. They determined that in the development of Alzheimers disease, amyloid precursor proteins actually targeted the mitochondria. When lodged inside the mitochondria, amyloid precursor proteins disrupted mitochondrial function and impaired brain energy metabolism.
Researchers have previously shown that Alzheimers disease results in mitochondrial defects. But, until this study, they werent sure how this mitochondrial damage occurred.
Reference:
Anandatheerthavarada HK, Biswas G, Robin MA, Avadhani NG. Mitochondrial targeting and a novel transmembrane arrest of Alzheimers amyloid precursor protein impairs mitochondrial function in neuronal cells. J Cell Biol. 2003 Apr 14;161(1):41-54.
People at risk for Alzheimers may want to consider supplementing with nutrients shown to protect mitochondria, such as D-Ribose, Creatine, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Lipoic Acid and EDTA (found in VRPs MitoBoost I & II).
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