A 70-year-old man from Oklahoma, who has defied the odds of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, is sparking hope among researchers that a new approach could combat the fatal condition. Unlike his family members who have succumbed to the disease at young ages due to a rare genetic mutation, he remains cognitively healthy.
The man’s case challenges the prevailing theory on Alzheimer’s, which suggests that amyloid plaques and tau tangles are responsible for brain function disruption and memory loss. Brain scans reveal an excess of amyloid buildup but unusually low levels of tau, a key characteristic of Alzheimer’s.
Scientists believe this unique interaction between amyloid and tau may be the protective factor in his case. Researchers are now investigating how to replicate this effect on a broader scale, potentially leading to new treatments that could delay or prevent Alzheimer’s symptoms for millions globally.
The discovery has significant implications, as it prompts scientists to re-evaluate the fundamental causes of Alzheimer’s and its interplay with genetic mutations, brain chemistry, and protein accumulations. If successful, therapies targeting tau or regulating amyloid and tau interaction could hinder disease progression and save lives.
Source: https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/health/alzheimers-cure-hope-man-70-31031298