10 April 2024
Scientists at the VIB-KU Leuven Centre for Brain & Disease Research have made an important discovery in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. This research, supported by the Alzheimer's Research Foundation, reveals a new mechanism that is active at an early stage of the disease. This breakthrough could pave the way for improved treatment methods.
In Belgium alone, an estimated 220,000 people suffer from dementia, 60-70 per cent of whom are diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Worldwide, the condition affects millions of people and this number is expected to continue to rise due to ageing.
Alzheimer's is characterised by progressive cognitive loss, memory problems and behavioural changes. Although progress has been made in understanding the mechanisms behind the disease, a definitive cure remains elusive. Previous research already established the link between amyloid plaque formation and Alzheimer's disease. However, recent research points to crucial processes that take place before the formation of these plaques.
Led by Professor Wim Annaert, it has been found that a specific fragment of the APP protein, known as APP-CTF, disrupts calcium balance within lysosomes. This disruption leads to an accumulation of cholesterol and a collapse of the endo-lysosomal system, essential for maintaining healthy neurons. The collapse of this system can be the beginning of cell death and neurodegeneration characteristic of Alzheimer's disease.
These findings highlight the importance of clearing toxic APP-CTFs to potentially intervene in Alzheimer's at an earlier stage. "While existing medication focuses on improving cognitive function by removing plaques, it is crucial to intervene before these plaques form," explains Professor Annaert. This research provides new insights into the early stages of Alzheimer's and marks a step forward in understanding and potentially treating the disease.
This research was recently published in the scientific journal Developmental Cell.