It provides a lot of hope : Saskatoon researchers discover potential tool to fight Alzheimer s saskatoon.ctvnews.ca - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from saskatoon.ctvnews.ca Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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IMAGE: Molecular neurochemist Darrell Mousseau is a professor in USask s Department of Psychiatry and head of the Cell Signalling Laboratory. view more
Credit: University of Saskatchewan
Findings from a new study on Alzheimer s disease (AD), led by researchers at the University of Saskatchewan (USask), could eventually help clinicians identify people at highest risk for developing the irreversible, progressive brain disorder and pave the way for treatments that slow or prevent its onset.
The research, published in the journal
Scientific Reports in early January, has demonstrated that a shorter form of the protein peptide believed responsible for causing AD (beta-amyloid 42, or Aβ42) halts the damage-causing mechanism of its longer counterpart.
In early stages of the disease, symptoms many people living with dementia can experience allow them to continue with their usual life and personal routines. Varying levels of assistance and support may be required; these are as varied as the individual’s symptoms and the progression of the disease. Often, this support is provided by family members until symptoms advance to the point where long-term care facilities may be advised. Both the disease and the support required can take a heavy toll on the people affected, and often results in social isolation. As we all know from COVID practices, even the simple pleasure of shopping or going out for coffee may pose a greater risk for seniors and may make such tasks for people living with dementia out of reach.