Researchers say a type of iron called magnetite shows up in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s. Figuring out why could lead to new treatments for the disease.
A type of iron called magnetite may lead researchers down the path to a more effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.
Magnetite is not usually found in the human brain, but researchers say the metal is present in the brains of people affected by Alzheimer’s.
The scientists say the magnetite is found in the abnormal protein clusters known as amyloid plaques that are symptomatic of this disease.
了解为什么他们在那里可能会导致更有效的治疗。
根据Alzheimer’s Association，美国近600万人患有这种疾病
阿尔茨海默氏症是该国第六大死亡原因。
The association also reports that deaths from Alzheimer’s disease increased 123 percent between 2000 and 2015, while deaths from heart disease (the number one cause of death) decreased 11 percent.
The
博士埃里克·B·拉森（Eric B. Larson）, MPH, executive director of the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, specifies that “Some forms of Alzheimer’s, especially early onset are associated with certain abnormal genes.”
研究人员先前表明，当铁和淀粉样蛋白相互相互作用时，矿物质会形成。
但是，使用在美国和英国具有高级测量能力的同步X射线设施，该小组能够显示出详细的证据，表明这些过程发生在死于阿尔茨海默氏病的个人的大脑中。
还记录了有关淀粉样斑块中存在的钙矿物形式的独特观察。
詹姆斯·亨德里克斯博士阿尔茨海默氏症协会的全球科学计划主管告诉Healthline，“铁是大脑中的重要因素，因此收集更多有关其管理如何影响阿尔茨海默氏病的数据至关重要。”雷竞技app官网
几十年来，铁一直是美国最常见的营养缺乏，因此现在许多食物通常用铁加固。
Baby foods, breakfast cereals, breads, even rice and pasta, have added iron.
Iron deficiency is now most likely in babies who are exclusively breastfed, as well as menstruating and pregnant women, strict vegetarians, and people who take medications that cause internal bleeding or interfere with iron absorption.
However, too much dietary iron has been associated with diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.
A recent
The researchers there said the connection may be because excess iron can cause oxidative stress, a type of damage to which the brain is especially sensitive.
Hendrix says it’s important to understand that the recent study did not find that eating foods containing iron will cause Alzheimer’s disease.
拉尔森（Larson）澄清说，这项研究与饮食铁无关。
“This study is about a new technique to explore the possible role that iron might play in the plaques that are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease.”
As for the role this may have in Alzheimer’s, he says “It’s worth noting that we have found many people who die without any evidence of dementia, even into late life, who also have these plaques.”
Recent studies have shown that iron deficiency can adversely impact memory, although it plays a critical role in maintaining the brain and nervous system. Hendrix says
“This is early research and we don’t yet know how iron is getting into the amyloid plaques. But consuming too little dietary iron can have a serious impact on health,” said Hendrix.
Larson is firm that there is no absolute way to prevent Alzheimer’s the way we can prevent polio with a vaccine.
Hendrix强调，主要是遗传学决定了谁将发展这种疾病。
但是，有一些策略可能会有所帮助。
“We do know that the Mediterranean diet can have some benefit. Regular exercise also helps.” Hendrix said. “What’s good for your heart is also good for your brain.”
他建议阅读10 Ways to Love Your Brainat the Alzheimer’s Association website to learn more methods to maintain cognitive health and reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.