Posted on 06/21/2012 7:49:52 PM PDT by CutePuppy
Scientists say they have identified a possible genetic link between diabetes and Alzheimer's disease.
It has been known for some time that people with diabetes have a much higher risk of developing Alzheimer's, but not why this is so.
Now US researchers writing in Genetics say a study of worms has indicated a known Alzheimer's gene also plays a role in the way insulin is processed. ..... < snip >
..... A key indication of Alzheimer's, which can only be seen after death, is the presence of sticky plaques of amyloid protein in decimated portions of patients' brains.
Scientists have already found mutations in a gene involved in the processing of amyloid protein in Alzheimer's which run in families.
'Open new doors'
In this study, a team from the City College of New York looked at a similar gene in the nematode worms (C. elegans).
As this research looked at the effects of a gene in worms, studies are now needed to discover whether the equivalent gene in people has the same effect Dr Marie Janson,, Alzheimer's Research UK These worms are often studied because they, perhaps surprisingly, a useful model for human research.
The researchers, led by Prof Chris Li, found the gene in the worms also affected the insulin pathway - the chemical reactions involved in its production and processing.
Prof Li said: "People with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of dementia.
"The insulin pathways are involved in many metabolic processes, including helping to keep the nervous system healthy."
She said more work was needed to investigate this potential link and its effects further.
Mark Johnston, editor-in-chief of the journal Genetics, said it was "an important discovery". < snip >
.....
(Excerpt) Read more at m.bbc.co.uk ...
Bookmarked.
Ping - possible diabetes and Alzheimer’s link.
I dunno know ! My dad had type2 and die from Cancer, he was sharp as a tack,died at 84. My Mom had the big A survived til 79 after 10 years and she was diabetes free! I personally believe it’s Lymes /borrelia/babesia connected.... but that’s just me!
My husband had diabetes, and passed away from Alzheimer’s. I worked in a long term care facility, and noticed nearly all the residents on the dementia unit were diabetic. I mentioned it to the nurses, who said it was an interesting observation, but nothing else.
Don’t you know that only doctors can say smart things?
My condolences. My dad has alzheimer’s and I wouldn’t wish that disease on anybody.
Nurses are probably not the best channel for that type of observation if. Some doctors and/or research faculty would be more likely to get interested, especially if published and observed /corroborated by several others, at different geographical locales.
This stuff works
Popular Asian spice can cure Alzheimer’s disease
NaturalNews ^
Posted on 09/17/2010 6:58:35 AM PDT by Scythian
(NaturalNews) Nature is full of various herbs and spices that protect against disease and even treat and cure it. And according to Chris Kilham, an ethnobotanist and Fox News’ “Medicine Hunter”, turmeric root — also known in its extract form as curcumin — is one such powerful spice that appears to both prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and even cure it.
“People who develop Alzheimer’s disease get a sticky plaque in the brain called amyloid beta,” explained Kilham to Dr. Manny Alvarez in a recent Fox News interview. Such plaques either develop as a result of Alzheimer’s, or they are the direct cause of it. But either way, they are directly related to the degenerative process.
However studies show that turmeric actually eliminates these plaques, both when they are first starting to form and even during the late stages of their advancement.
“What we have in turmeric is something that appears to inhibit the development of Alzheimer’s disease…and actually help to reduce the occurrence of plaque in the brain if you have it,” noted Kilham. “We know in animal studies, when animals actually have amyloid beta plaque in their brains and they’re given turmeric root…that plaque is reduced.”
Observational studies have also shown that people groups who eat large amounts of turmeric virtually never get Alzheimer’s.
“In countries where people consume a lot of [turmeric], there’s a very low incidence of Alzheimer’s disease,” emphasized Kilham. “In India and Southeast Asia, it’s a rare disease. And [in the U.S.] it’s very, very common.”
According to Kilham, drug companies are hard at work trying to develop drug versions of turmeric, but he recommends eating real turmeric whenever possible, and taking turmeric extract supplements if eating the spice in food is not an option.
“A challenge that we face is that drug companies…can’t patent turmeric root,” he said. “So they will continue to try to develop something else. [But] eating turmeric, eating its extracts…appears to be protective against one of the most horrific and debilitating diseases we know.”
You also may want to note that a more potent form of turmeric is found in turmeric extract and you really can’t go overboard with it. And for the ones not familiar with turmeric, it is what gives mustard its yellow color. Not only is it helpful as stated in the article above, but it is also an analgesic and will fight cancer especially related to prostate cancer. And by the way you don’t buy turmeric at the grocery store as it costs you an arm and a leg there you can get it in bulk from such places as ‘Spices Etc.’ The same with C-Q 10 from places such as ‘Pure Bulk’ The reason doctors and pharmaceutical companies are not pushing it is that there is no money in it for them.
I doubt there are many studies occurring at a long term care facility, unless there is a research hospital within a reasonable distance. However, if you peruse PubMed (www.pubmed.org), you can find thousands of papers describing studies looking at Alzheimer's and diabetes.
FReepmail me if you want on or off the diabetes ping list.
It should make others wonder how many other enzymes are involved in "Multiple Metabolic Pathways Throughout Development." It could be too many to count.
P.S.City College of NY is my undergraduate alma mater.
P.P.S. If you enjoy reading medical & science abstracts the following link mentions a differnent Forkhead transcription factor, FOXO3a: Molecule Thought Cancer Foe Actually Helps Thyroid Tumors Grow
P.P.P.S. FReepmail me if you want to be on health & science ping list. N.B. they also get pinged for what I believe are noteworthy articles about politics, foreign or military affairs, IMHO. This is primarily a political forum.
Interesting of course.. Does controlling or preventing diabetes mitigate this risk? Strong diabetes in my family, some Alzheimer’s, some just plain ol’ forgetful. Time to find the off switch for this gene. I have read about some Chinese herbal combinations that may help.
That seems to be the important implication of the research, though causation doesn't seem yet to have been established.
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