Prolonged stress could impair the brain normal activity that may lead to Alzheimer’s disease, according to Swedish scientists.
According to recent reports, process of plaque deposition starts at least ten years before the onset of clinical symptoms.
In the study, similar results were seen in experimental animals. Prevention of plaque deposition is the key preventive step against Alzheimer’s disease.
Few studies reported an underlying link between declining cognition and chronic stress. However, the studies suggested further studies to confirm prolonged stress as a possible risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.
In a pre-clinical study, a team of scientists led by Dr. Sara Bengtsson from Umea University, Sweden observed that prolonged stress affects the brain steroid levels. Elevated levels of steroids (allopregnanolone) increase the deposition of beta amyloid plaques in the brain and progressively devastate brain function.
In the study, increased levels of brain steroids impair learning and memory processes with progressive deposition of toxic amyloid plaques and causes Alzheimer’s disease.
Brain functions and transmissions with other nerve cells are greatly affected by amyloid deposition. This results in abnormal mood swings, memory and cognitive loss with communication problems.
In the study, when compared to animals without stress, symptoms of confusion and memory loss were observed in animals kept under prolonged stress.
According to recent reports, process of plaque deposition starts at least ten years before the onset of clinical symptoms.
In the study, similar results were seen in experimental animals. Prevention of plaque deposition is the key preventive step against Alzheimer’s disease.
Few studies reported an underlying link between declining cognition and chronic stress. However, the studies suggested further studies to confirm prolonged stress as a possible risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.
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