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ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE
Oxidative Stress and Alzheimer’s Disease: Cause, Consequence or Unknown?
It is clear that oxidative stress is the cause of disease progression in Alzheimer’s Disease. In animal models it has been shown that oxidative stress causes Alzheimer’s Disease. If you downregulate antioxidant enzymes like SOD it increases neuronal cell death causing faster progression of the disease. Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive deterioration together with declining activities of daily living and neuropsychiatric symptoms or behavioral changes. It is the most common type of dementia. Oxidative injury has been implicated in the neurodegenerative process and markers of oxidative damage have been detected in brain tissue from patients with AD and other neurodegenerative disorders. Genetic and pharmacological manipulation of antioxidant defense mechanisms has been shown to significantly modify neurodegeneration in a drosophila model, suggesting that oxidative stress plays a causal role in neurotoxicity.
About Alzheimer’s Disease
- Progressive degenerative disease of the brain
- 4th leading cause of death among adults
- 1 in 10 persons over 65 and nearly 50% over 85 have AD
- Almost 75% of home care is provided by family and friends
- The most common form of dementia
- There is no known cure at present
Risk Factors
- Age is the biggest risk factor
- Having a parent or sibling with AD increases risk two to three times
- Head trauma/brain damage
- Poor cardiovascular health (i.e. diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol)
- Estrogen loss following menopause is suspected as a contributor to AD
- Environmental causes (i.e. high levels of aluminum) are suggested (no conclusive proof at present)
Risk Reducers
- Antioxidants
- Intellectual stimulation
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Physical Exercise
The Studies
Reducing mitochondrial decay with mitochondrial nutrients to delay and treat cognitive dysfunction, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease.
Liu J, Ames BN;Nutr Neurosci ; 2005; 2:67-89
Abstract: Mitochondrial decay due to oxidative damage is a contributor to brain aging and age-related neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). One type of mitochondrial decay is oxidative modification of key mitochondrial enzymes. Enzyme dysfunction, that is due to poor binding of substrates and coenzymes may be ameliorated by supplementing adequate levels of substrates or coenzyme precursors. Such supplementation with mitochondrial nutrients (mt-nutrients) may be useful to prevent or delay mitochondrial decay, thus prevent or treat AD and PD. In the present review, we survey the literature to identify mt-nutrients that can (1) protect mitochondrial enzymes and/or stimulate enzyme activity by elevating levels of substrates and cofactors; (2) induce phase-2 enzymes to enhance antioxidant defenses; (3) scavenge free radicals and prevent oxidant production in mitochondria, and (4) repair mitochondrial membrane. Then, we discuss the relationships among mt-nutrient deficiency, mitochondrial decay, and cognitive dysfunction, and summarize available evidence suggesting an effect of mt-nutrient supplementation on AD and PD. It appears that greater effects might be obtained by longer-term administration of combinations of mt-nutrients. Thus, optimal doses of combinations of mt-nutrients to delay and repair mitochondrial decay could be a strategy for preventing and treating cognitive dysfunction, including AD and PD.
A review of antioxidants and Alzheimer's disease.
Frank B, Gupta S;Ann Clin Psychiatry. 2005;17(4):269-86
Abstract: In this article, we review a diverse body of research and draw conclusions about the usefulness, or lack there-of, of specific antioxidants in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease (AD).
METHODS: The National Library of Medicine's database was searched for the years 1996-2004 using the search terms "Alzheimer's, anti-oxidants, antioxidants."
RESULTS: Over 300 articles were identified and 187 articles were selected for inclusion based on relevance to the topic. Agents that show promise in helping prevent AD include: 1) aged garlic extract, 2) curcumin, 3) melatonin, 4) resveratro |