Alzheimer's Society Comment On New Research Into The Effects Of Amyloid On Blood Clots In Alzheimer's

Research published in the journal Neuron has shown that the amyloid protein, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, increases the likelihood of the formation of blood clots.


The study worked with mouse models of the disease to determine how the presence of the amyloid protein affected accumulation of fibrinogen, a key component of blood clots.


People with Alzheimer's disease are more susceptible to stroke and bleeding in the brain. Previous research has shown that amyloid is found in the lining of blood vessels in the brain, causing the vessels to become more fragile. This new study provides new information about how amyloid affects the blood vessels, and increases the risk of stroke in people with Alzheimer's disease.


Alzheimer's Society comment:


'Many people with Alzheimer's disease actually have a condition called mixed dementia, a combination of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia, which is linked to interruptions in the blood flow to the brain. We already know that the amyloid protein is found in blood vessels in the brain in Alzheimer's, and that it increases the risk of stroke and bleeding in the brain.'


'This study provides a better understanding of how this amyloid might also be linked to the formation of blood clots, which increase the chance of damage to nerve cells. However, there is much we still do not understand. Research into dementia is drastically underfunded. We must invest more if we are to move forward in our understanding and treatment of this devastating condition.'


Professor Clive Ballard

Director of Research


Source

Alzheimer's Society