New Explanation Offered For Alzheimer's Progression

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute scientists have posited a new hypothesis for the progression of Alzheimer's disease. They believe an imbalance in the ratio of two Amyloid B-peptides (AB) peptides, AB40 and AB42, cause the disease.

"We have found that two peptides, AB42 and AB40, must be in balance for normal function," said Chunyu Wang, lead researcher and assistant professor of biology. "They are like the Yin and Yang in Taiji, an ancient Chinese philosophy. When the peptides are produced in the correct proportions, the brain is healthy; but when that delicate balance is changed, pathological changes will occur in the brain and the person's memories become hazy, leading to eventual dementia."

Researchers believe the presence of AB40, inhibits the formation of AB42 fibrils. Plaques in the brain composed of AB42 fibrils are one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's. If the researchers are correct, introducing protective AB40 may be enough to slow or end the progression of Alzheimer's disease in the brain.

ABSTRACT: AB40 Protects Non-toxic AB42 Monomer from Aggregation