Over the past few years, doctors have been finding increasing evidence linking Alzheimer0s and stress. While age is still considered to be the primary risk factor for developing Alzheimer0s, several important studies have identified stress as another main cause to be aware of.
Studies Linking Alzheimer0s and Stress
A recent study conducted at UC Irvine evaluated the effects of stress on the brains of mice. Researchers subjected mice to continuous stress similar to that experienced by humans in their daily lives.
The increased stress caused these mice to produce higher levels of the proteins beta-amyloid and tau in their brains. These proteins make up the plaques and tangles found in the brains of Alzheimer0s patients.
This phenomenon creates a dangerous cycle. High levels of beta-amyloid and tau in the brain cause an increase in the production of stress hormones, which in turn leads to the production of more beta-amyloid and tau in the brain. This sequence drastically speeds up the progression of Alzheimer0s disease.
This study has many implications for Alzheimer0s patients. Most importantly, doctors need to be careful when prescribing drugs to elderly people. Many commonly prescribed drugs for the elderly contain glucocorticoids, which produce similar effects to stress hormones. As a result, […]

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