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Infiltration of the Brain by Pathogens Causes Alzheimer's Disease, According to
Researchers at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
PHILADELPHIA, June 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The possibility of an infectious
etiology of chronic diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, has long been
debated and is difficult to prove. Following a debate last summer sponsored
by the Alzheimer Forum on "Challenging Views of Alzheimer's Disease,"
researchers from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and University
of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology were asked to write a
summary of the debate "Infiltration of the Brain Causes Alzheimer's disease."
Peer-reviewed by individuals who do not totally support this belief, the paper
was published in the May/June issue Volume 25, 2004, pgs 619-627 of
Neurobiology of Aging.
This paper provides a synopsis of the current evidence of how pathogens,
both Herpes Simplex Virus type I and Chlamydophila (Chlamydia) pneumoniae are
involved in Alzheimer's disease and concludes that pathogens have the ability
to cause late-onset sporadic Alzheimer's disease, by far the most common form
of Alzheimer's disease (accounts for >90% of all cases). In addition, this
form of Alzheimer's disease does not have associated genetic mutations, but
does have genetic susceptibility or risk for individuals with certain genes
for apolipoproteins.
Both Herpes Simplex Virus type I and Chlamydia pneumoniae have been found
in AD brain tissues. The presence of one or both of these infections in brain
tissue can cause inflammation. Inflammation is considered a major factor in
the neurodegeneration seen in AD. While current thought is that amyloid
accumulation causes the inflammation, the researchers of this paper believe
the infection causes inflammation and possibly glial and nerve cell damage
followed by amyloid accumulation and subsequently, more degeneration, which is
followed by more inflammation and more damage. Thus, the cycle would
initially begin with infection followed by cascading of amyloid and nerve cell
damage.
The importance of this work is the realization that chronic infection can
result in chronic diseases found in the aged population. While the current
research does not yet prove conclusively how infection is causing
neurodegeneration, evidence continues to accumulate implicating viruses and
intracellular bacteria and other organisms in both neurologic and
non-neurologic chronic diseases.
Two authors of this paper, Dr. Brian Balin, Ph.D. and Denah Appelt, Ph.D.,
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, co-authored the paper,
"Chlamydia pneumoniae induces Alzheimer's-like amyloid plaques in brains of
BALB/c mice," which was published in the March issue of Neurobiology of Aging.
SOURCE Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
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Researchers at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
PHILADELPHIA, June 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The possibility of an infectious
etiology of chronic diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, has long been
debated and is difficult to prove. Following a debate last summer sponsored
by the Alzheimer Forum on "Challenging Views of Alzheimer's Disease,"
researchers from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and University
of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology were asked to write a
summary of the debate "Infiltration of the Brain Causes Alzheimer's disease."
Peer-reviewed by individuals who do not totally support this belief, the paper
was published in the May/June issue Volume 25, 2004, pgs 619-627 of
Neurobiology of Aging.
This paper provides a synopsis of the current evidence of how pathogens,
both Herpes Simplex Virus type I and Chlamydophila (Chlamydia) pneumoniae are
involved in Alzheimer's disease and concludes that pathogens have the ability
to cause late-onset sporadic Alzheimer's disease, by far the most common form
of Alzheimer's disease (accounts for >90% of all cases). In addition, this
form of Alzheimer's disease does not have associated genetic mutations, but
does have genetic susceptibility or risk for individuals with certain genes
for apolipoproteins.
Both Herpes Simplex Virus type I and Chlamydia pneumoniae have been found
in AD brain tissues. The presence of one or both of these infections in brain
tissue can cause inflammation. Inflammation is considered a major factor in
the neurodegeneration seen in AD. While current thought is that amyloid
accumulation causes the inflammation, the researchers of this paper believe
the infection causes inflammation and possibly glial and nerve cell damage
followed by amyloid accumulation and subsequently, more degeneration, which is
followed by more inflammation and more damage. Thus, the cycle would
initially begin with infection followed by cascading of amyloid and nerve cell
damage.
The importance of this work is the realization that chronic infection can
result in chronic diseases found in the aged population. While the current
research does not yet prove conclusively how infection is causing
neurodegeneration, evidence continues to accumulate implicating viruses and
intracellular bacteria and other organisms in both neurologic and
non-neurologic chronic diseases.
Two authors of this paper, Dr. Brian Balin, Ph.D. and Denah Appelt, Ph.D.,
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, co-authored the paper,
"Chlamydia pneumoniae induces Alzheimer's-like amyloid plaques in brains of
BALB/c mice," which was published in the March issue of Neurobiology of Aging.
SOURCE Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Who loves ya.
Tom
Jesus Was A Vegetarian! http://jesuswasavegetarian.7h.com
Man Is A Herbivore! http://pages.ivillage.com/ironjustice/manisaherbivore
DEAD PEOPLE WALKING http://pages.ivillage.com/ironjustice/deadpeoplewalking
