Iron buildup in the brain may trigger Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease affects millions of people worldwide. As the population ages, it is becoming more and more common. It is the most common form of neurodegenerative dementia in older adults. its underlying mechanisms PathologyPathology Still very little is known. The disease is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. in anomaliesanomalies lead to one SwellingSwellingDisrupts neuronal communication and causes death neuronsneurons, A recent study from Oregon Health & Science University revealed an unexpected mechanism in triggering Alzheimer’s diseaseAlzheimer’s disease accumulation of : turnturn Ferroptosis, a specific form of cell death, and destruction of microglia occurs in the brain, which is essential for brain function. The results were published in the journal History of Neurology,

Microglies and ferroptosis

Microglia play an essential role as the first line of immune defense in the brain. they try to erase wastewaste cells, including debris from melinmelin Damaged. However, this myelin removal process also has a downside: the release of iron. The authors observed microglia degeneration in post-mortem brain tissue samples. Iron from degraded myelin, when in excess, causes ferroptosis, thus endangering these microglia. Ferroptosis is a specific form of programmed cell death that is different fromapoptosisapoptosis, necrosis and other cell death mechanisms. It is characterized by the accumulation and concomitant loss of intracellular iron.AntioxidantAntioxidant Such as glutathione, which causes lipid oxidative damage and ultimately cell death.

medical implications

Researchers suggest that this cycle of degeneration results from repeated episodes of decreased blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain. events like avcavc or chronic diseases such ashigh blood pressurehigh blood pressure And diabetes may be partly responsible. Treating this type of disease is one way to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. In therapeutic terms, this finding suggests directing treatment research toward iron regulation and myelin protection. Additionally, this new data may prove valuable for other demyelinating diseases, such as multiple sclerosis or the dark shadowthe dark shadow Neuromyelitis optica.