I called up the Alzheimers library hot line to ask this question but they did not find this research from 2007.
My original source here from 2008: http://phys.org/news124976505.html
Stuff I just found, research here from 2007:
http://www.alphagalileo.org/ViewItem.aspx?ItemId=14577&CultureCode=en
University of Leeds scientists have shown how stroke victims could be
more vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease – years or even decades after
making a full recovery.
It has been known for some time that the two conditions were linked,
but now the Leeds team has shown how an incident of reduced oxygen to
the brain – caused by the stroke – can leave the patient vulnerable to
the gradual build-up of toxic chemicals which can cause Alzheimer’s.
The research was led by Professor Chris Peers of the University’s
school of medicine, who explained: “Our research is looking into what
happens when oxygen levels in the brain are reduced by a number of
factors, from long-term conditions like emphysema and angina, to sudden
incidents such as a heart attack, stroke or even head trauma. Even
though the patient may outwardly recover, the hidden cell damage may be
irreversible.
“It could even be an issue for people who snore heavily, whose
sleep patterns are such that there will be times in the night when their
brain is hypoxic – deprived of sufficient oxygen. It can be anything
that stops the heart and lungs working together to their optimal
capabilities.”
The research centred on the damage done by these low-oxygen
incidents to a group of brain cells called astrocytes. When the brain is
functioning normally, it makes connections through the release of tiny
amounts of chemical across the synapses. Once the chemical has been
transmitted, it is “mopped up” by the astrocytes.
The Leeds team – which also includes Dr John Boyle in the Faculty of
Medicine and Health and Dr Hugh Pearson of the Faculty of Biological
Sciences – has shown that if at some point the astrocytes have become
hypoxic, they are less able to mop up these transmitters, allowing the
residual chemicals to accumulate and become toxic.
“This is an important factor in what’s going on in hypoxic brains,”
said Prof Peers, whose work received funding from the Alzheimer’s
Society and the Alzheimer’s Research Trust. “Astrocytes are just as
essential as neurones for normal brain function – and we have ten times
as many of them.”
Professor Susanne Sorensen, head of research at the Alzheimer's
Society, added: "The team examined the role of cells that support
neurones in the brain. This is exciting because rather than focussing on
neurones they looked at processes in the brain, which until now have
not be researched in so much detail."
In another project, the team is investigating two key signalling
molecules which are very sensitive to fluctuations in oxygen levels. The
scientists suspect that in low oxygen conditions these molecules could
begin the increased production of a toxic protein called amyloid which
builds up in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s.
The work at Leeds is part of a network of research projects
nationally and internationally, which are adding to the sum of knowledge
about a disease which costs the UK more than cancer, heart disease and
stroke combined.
There are around 700,000 people in the UK currently suffering with
dementia – a figure that is set to more than double by 2050, simply
because we are living longer. And the disparity between funding levels
for research into different conditions is stark, as Prof Peers
explained: “For every cancer patient in this country, between £300 and
£400 is spent every year on research. For Alzheimer’s sufferers it is
closer to £15, yet sufferers can need full-time care for the last 20 to
30 years of their lives, so any research into intervention can be really
cost-effective in the long term.”
Further information
Around 700,000 people in the UK – including 20 per cent of those
aged over 80 – have a form of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for
more than half of these. Alzheimer’s is not a normal, unavoidable part
of getting older, but a fatal and incurable brain disease. It can take
30 years to develop. Beyond the age of 65, your chance of developing
Alzheimer’s doubles every five years.
The Alzheimer's Research Trust is a UK dementia research charity
dedicated to finding ways to treat, cure or prevent Alzheimer's disease,
vascular dementia, Lewy Body disease and fronto-temporal dementias.
With no government funding it relies on public donations to fund its
vital research. The Trust provides free information to the public on
dementia and the treatments currently available. Call 01223 843899 or
visit www.alzheimers-research.org.uk
The Alzheimer's Society works across the UK to champion the rights
of people living with dementia and those who care for them. As a
charity, the society depends on the generosity of the public to help it
care, research and campaign for people with dementia. You can donate now
by calling 0845 306 0898 or visiting www.alzheimers.org.uk. The
Alzheimer's Society Dementia Helpline number is 0845 300 0336 or visit
www.alzheimers.org.uk
Ok, who is going to research repairing the astrocytes so Alzheimers is not a risk after stroke?
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