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PooDendalNerveBlock t1_iu6ank1 wrote

The presence of neurofibrillary tangles and beta amyloid plaques (which recently have sparked controversy). Lead to the degradation of the cortex of the brain. Dementia is the term used to describe impaired cognitive status. The severity of the disease is typically generally attributed to the amount of neurofibrillary tangles. A decrease in the neurotransmitter acetylcholine is present as well. Drugs that increase this neurotransmitter help with symptomatic management but do not slow the profession of the disease.

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twan_john t1_iu7uqjv wrote

There's some new research that looked into how sleep protects against Alzheimer's. "A study published in the journal Science revealed that cerebrospinal fluid carries these waste products away from the brain during deep sleep, acting as a guard to cognitive function . . . There’s also mounting research to suggest that getting too little—or even too much—sleep could increase your risk for Alzheimer’s disease."

"https://sleepeducation.org/nightly-brain-wash-protects-against-alzheimers-disease-during-sleep/

https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/article?id=10.1371/journal.pbio.3001233

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doomedtobeme t1_iu86ylo wrote

I was taught something similar in uni maybe 3 years ago, sleep and quality of sleep is huuuuge. It's been found that in people with lack of sleep, that there's an abnormally high level of specific plaques and more related to dementia etc.

Shift workers are getting funked over big time, can't imagine how bad 30 years of those shifts are on the brain.

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mazurzapt t1_iu9pxdd wrote

I read about these cerebrospinal fluids some years ago and I visualize that now when I go to sleep. Ok time for my brain to have a bath! Lol

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griphookk t1_iu7uqf2 wrote

Speaking of acetylcholine- anticholinergic drugs (such as tricyclic antidepressants, first-generation antihistamines, and bladder antimuscarinics) are significantly linked to early-onset dementia.

Taking an anticholinergic for the equivalent of three years or more was associated with a 54% higher dementia risk than taking the same dose for three months or less.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/common-anticholinergic-drugs-like-benadryl-linked-increased-dementia-risk-201501287667

And, speaking of antihistamines- Benadryl. It’s criminal that it’s marketed for sleep and as “safe and non habit-forming”. It should NOT be taken regularly such as nightly for sleep, it is NOT safe and it IS habit forming/addictive. It’s so bad for you that in recreational drug communities it’s one of the number one things people tell others to stay away from.

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PooDendalNerveBlock t1_iu9fhjz wrote

Thank you for the addition, this is something that should be brought in the spotlight. Appreciated.

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geekbot2000 t1_iu7glvn wrote

I think the controversy you mentioned has to do with the causative nature of the amyloid plaques. Decades of research/therapeutics targeting the plaques have not produced improved clinical outcomes, the current thinking is that the plaques are a consequence of whatever else is causing alzie.

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uiucengineer t1_iu7ibby wrote

You haven't heard: the study that originally showed the correlation is allegedly a fraud.

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packpride85 t1_iu8dzlq wrote

That’s not the general consensus among researchers as that was a very specific scenario.

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eddiepaperhands t1_iu93kau wrote

There’s also recent research suggesting that the cause is lower levels of soluble amyloid-beta and that the plaques - like Alzheimer’s - are a result of that.

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CrateDane t1_iudcm3b wrote

No, that's not about the overall correlation - it's well established that Alzheimer's is correlated with amyloid plaques. The question is whether the amyloid plaques are causing the Alzheimer's. That likely fraudulent study showed that expressing this particular form of amyloid-beta in mouse brains led to Alzheimer-like symptoms alongside accumulation of a particular fragment. That was proposed to be an early precursor to the more severe plaques seen later on (or postmortem).

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