Through brain imaging studies, testing samples of spinal fluid and blood and genetic profiling, researchers are trying to detect biomarkers that can diagnose Alzheimer’s disease at the earliest or the most treatable stage. Detecting the disease at the earliest stage, before occurrence of irreversible changes in the brain, may prevent progression of the disease.

Via: Alzheimer’s association

Studies confirm a significantly higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease among type 2 diabetes patients. Scientists are currently exploring the insulin processing activity of the brain and its effect on the blood sugar level and risk of Alzheimer’s disease. To prevent progression of the disease and to regulate the insulin processing in the brain, researchers are working on novel insulin delivery processes such as intranasal insulin that rapidly transports insulin to the central nervous system.

Via: Medscape

Besides accumulation of beta amyloid and aggregation of tau protein, people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease have high levels of immune cells and proteins around the amyloid plaques. Researches suggest that inflammation in the central nervous system plays a role in disrupting the normal brain function. Studies are currently underway to understand the immunological processes in the brain that trigger neuroinflammation. Researchers are also working on treatment strategies with anti inflammatory drugs and immunotherapy that can reduce inflammation in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease patients and suppress abnormal immune response.

Via: Alzheimer’s research & therapy

Aggregation of tau protein molecules in the brain is another classic sign of Alzheimer’s disease. Understanding the process that induces tangling of these protein molecules and developing strategies that prevent the tau protein from collapsing and tangling is a prominent challenge for researchers.

Via: National Institutes of Health

Deposition of beta amyloid in the brain is a common sign of Alzheimer’s disease. Beta amyloid is a constituent of a larger protein molecule called amyloid precursor protein (APP). APP is fragmented by several other proteins in different ways. Beta amyloid is a sticky fragment of APP. Although beta amyloid is produced in a healthy brain, for some unknown reason in some people this sticky protein accumulates to form small clusters that clog certain areas of the brain disrupting communication between cells and activating immune cells that trigger inflammation in the brain, eventually killing the brain cells. Scientists are developing drugs that can inhibit amyloid processing and fragmentation of the beta amyloid protein that sticks together to form plaques. Through clinical trials, researchers are also studying the role of vaccines and antibodies to eliminate beta amyloid from the brain.

Via: The Dana Foundation