Vancouver, Canada – Researchers from the University of British Columbia have uncovered groundbreaking findings that suggest Alzheimer’s disease may have systemic origins. Their study, published in Stem Cell Reports, reveals that bone marrow transplants from donors with familial Alzheimer’s can accelerate the onset of the disease in healthy mice.
This research challenges the traditional view of Alzheimer’s as a brain-centric condition by demonstrating that amyloid proteins from peripheral sources can induce Alzheimer’s in the central nervous system. These findings emphasize the need for cautious screening of donors for Alzheimer’s markers to prevent inadvertent disease transfer through transplants and blood transfusions.
The study sheds light on the systemic nature of Alzheimer’s, showing that amyloids outside the brain can contribute to the development of the disease. By transplanting bone marrow stem cells from mice with hereditary Alzheimer’s into normal lab mice, the researchers observed an accelerated onset of Alzheimer’s disease in the recipients.
Lead researcher Wilfred Jefferies highlights the importance of screening donors for Alzheimer’s disease in various forms of transplants to avoid disease transmission. He suggests that Alzheimer’s may be a systemic disease where amyloids expressed outside the brain play a significant role in central nervous system pathology.
The experiments involved two different strains of recipient mice, including those lacking an amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene entirely. Surprisingly, the transplant recipients showed cognitive decline much earlier than expected, with behavioral symptoms appearing months ahead of schedule.
The study’s implications extend beyond bone marrow transplants, raising concerns about the inadvertent transmission of Alzheimer’s through other forms of cellular therapies. Further research will explore the potential transfer of the disease through different types of transplants and transfusions, as well as its impact on different species.
In conclusion, this research opens up new avenues for understanding Alzheimer’s disease as a systemic condition with implications for screening donors in various medical procedures. With the support of funding from multiple organizations, the researchers aim to continue investigating the mechanisms behind Alzheimer’s transmission and potential therapeutic interventions.
Overall, this study paves the way for a deeper understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and the importance of rigorous screening measures to prevent its spread through medical interventions.