Alzheimer’s Disease and Brain Inflammation

 What do we know about Alzheimer’s Disease? According to the Alzheimer’s Association, it is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. More specifically, it destroys the ability to communicate, recognize people, perform familiar tasks, and take care of ourselves. Millions of Americans have Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), and there continues to be no cure in sight.
However, new research is uncovering several contributing factors to this horrific disease. For example, studies have found that Alzheimer’s Disease and excess inflammation in the brain are connected. Inflammation is starting to be considered a double-edged sword. Our bodies’ basic defense system against infection is the microglia cells that cause inflammation. Researchers are finding that the inflammation could be linked to the onset of AD.
When there are foreign particles in our bodies, our microglia “eat” the particles to remove them from our system, and they also release pro-inflammatory molecules called cytokines. Inflammation is important to help fight the foreign particles, but the microglia may become overactive and produce too many cytokines. This increase in inflammation then causes the buildup of proteins in the brain. These proteins are called beta-amyloid plaques. Emerging research has shown that this excess inflammation and plaque buildup can be damaging neurons and contributing to the lesions that are associated with AD.
AD lesions are composed of many inflammatory proteins, and researchers have concluded that the lesions are causing neuronal injury. Scientists have even seen people who have had a severe head injury (which caused increased brain inflammation) being more susceptible to AD later in life.
Currently, scientists are digging deeper to see if there are anti-inflammatory measures that can reduce risk of AD. There are clinical trials being organized to block the release of extra cytokines from the microglia. The goal of this is to allow our immune defense system to continue to work, without also causing an excess of harmful inflammation.
There are also studies on how to lower inflammation in the brain. Research suggests that this can be done through proper diet: less sugars, good fats, less carbohydrates, and natural foods that have been proven to have anti-inflammatory properties (berries, etc.). The Standard American Diet (fried food, sugar, carbohydrates) is thought to promote inflammation, and is certainly not a friend to a healthy brain.
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