Note from Connie: Can Alzheimer’s disease be a third type of diabetes? Some researchers think that may be the case. Karen tells you about this fascinating study.
Scientists at Northwestern University have discovered a toxic protein in the brains of Alzheimer’s Disease patients that may explain why brain insulin signaling—which is necessary for memory formation— stops working in people with the disease.
The protein, called ADDL, is known to remove insulin receptors from nerve cells in the brain, making them insulin resistant. Alzheimer’s patients have less brain insulin and its related receptors than normal.
The study, published in the FASEB (Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology) Journal, supports an emerging theory that Alzheimer’s is actually a third type of diabetes, according to Medical News Today .
The findings could help researchers determine which existing diabetes drugs could protect neurons from the ADDLs and improve insulin signaling in people with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Karen James for the SUGAR SHOCK! Blog