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New model of Alzheimer's as an autoimmune disease

Date:
September 27, 2022
Source:
University Health Network
Summary:
Scientists have proposed a new mechanistic model (AD2) for Alzheimer's, looking at it not as a brain disease, but as a chronic autoimmune condition that attacks the brain.
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Scientists at the Krembil Brain Institute, part of the University Health Network, have proposed a new mechanistic model (AD2) for Alzheimer's, looking at it not as a brain disease, but as a chronic autoimmune condition that attacks the brain.

This novel research is published today, inAlzheimer's & Dementia.

"We don't think of Alzheimer's as fundamentally a disease of the brain. We think of it as a disease of the immune systemwithinthe brain," says Dr. Donald Weaver, co-Director of the Krembil Brain Institute and author of the paper.

Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, impacts more than 50 million people around the world, with a new person being diagnosed every three seconds. Yet, despite more than 200 clinical trials in the past 30 years, there are no disease modifying therapeutics to prevent, halt or treat Alzheimer's.

"We need new ways of thinking about this disease, and we need them now," says Dr. Weaver. "To date, most of the approaches in Alzheimer's research have been based upon the theory that a protein called beta-amyloid, which is supposedly abnormal in the brain, clumps up. And when it clumps up, it kills brain cells."

"But we believe beta-amyloid is right where it should be. It acts as an immunopeptide -- a messenger within our immune system -- so that, if we have head trauma, beta-amyloid repairs it. If a virus or a bacteria comes along, beta-amyloid is there to fight it."

That's where the problem occurs, says Dr. Weaver. "Beta-amyloid gets confused and can't tell the difference between a bacteria and a brain cell and so it inadvertently attacks our own brain cells. This, then, becomes what we call an autoimmune disease. The immune system is actually attacking the host, our brain."

Noted in the team's findings:

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• The research team conducted a comprehensive search, looking at a wide-ranging review of both journal and patient literatures combined with their own studies, to develop a thorough mechanistic model of Alzheimer's.

• The AD2model endeavours to harmonize other mechanistic propositions (including proteopathy, synaptotoxicity and mitochondriopathy), while recognizing beta-amyloid as a physiologically oligomerizing immunopeptide and part of a much larger and broad, highly-interconnected immunopathic process.

• Within the AD2model, amino acid metabolism of L-tryptophan and L-arginine emerge as innate immunity regulators, thus pointing to new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Tangible rethinking about Alzheimer's disease as an autoimmune disease, and beta-amyloid as a normal part of our immune system, opens the door to new avenues and approaches to develop innovative new therapies, says Dr. Weaver.

“我们非常兴奋在我们的实验室。我们认为这s autoimmune theory is sound and represents a significant conceptual step forward."

This work was funded through operating grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Weston Foundation, the Krembil Foundation and a Harrington Scholar-Innovator Award from the Harrington Discovery Institute.

Dr. Weaver acknowledges salary support from a Canada Research Chair, Tier 1, in protein misfolding.

Story Source:

Materialsprovided byUniversity Health Network.Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Donald F. Weaver.Alzheimer's disease as an innate autoimmune disease (AD 2 ): A new molecular paradigm.Alzheimer's & Dementia, 2022; DOI:10.1002/alz.12789

Cite This Page:

大学健康网络。“老年痴呆症的新模型's as an autoimmune disease." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 27 September 2022. /releases/2022/09/220927111332.htm>.
大学健康网络。(2022, September 27). New model of Alzheimer's as an autoimmune disease.ScienceDaily. Retrieved August 21, 2023 from www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/09/220927111332.htm
大学健康网络。“老年痴呆症的新模型's as an autoimmune disease." ScienceDaily. www.koonmotors.com/releases/2022/09/220927111332.htm (accessed August 21, 2023).

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