Nov 29, 2021
Prevailing theories posit plaques in the brain cause Alzheimer’s disease. New UC Riverside research instead points to cells’ slowing ability to clean themselves as the likely cause of unhealthy brain buildup.
[…] In general, the process of clearing spent or defective proteins from cells, known as autophagy, slows down in people over the age of 65. It isn’t clear why, but Julian’s laboratory is planning to study this.
Fortunately, drugs are already being tested to improve autophagy. Some candidates include existing drugs approved for cardiovascular disease and other conditions, which may help speed up the approval process.
Autophagy can be induced by fasting. When cells run short on proteins from an individual’s diet, they fill the void by recycling proteins already present in cells. Exercise also increases autophagy.
These measures, as well as drug therapies, may ultimately help prevent the disease. “If a slowdown in autophagy is the underlying cause, things that increase it should have the beneficial, opposite effect,” Julian said.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-11-scientists-potential-alzheimer-disease.html