• Facebook
• Twitter
• Flipboard
• Comments
• Print
• Email

How to lower your Alzheimer’s risk, according to Dr. Daniel Amen

The acclaimed psychiatrist and brain disorder specialist explains how everyday choices — from diet and exercise to blood flow — can either protect or accelerate cognitive decline.

Two cancer drugs could potentially slow or even reverse the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, a new study suggests.

Researchers at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) explored how the common dementia changes gene expression (which genes are turned on or off) in certain brain cells, according to a press release from the university.

Next, they looked at which existing FDA-approved drugs might counteract, or reverse, those changes.

ALZHEIMER'S RISK COULD RISE WITH SPECIFIC SLEEP PATTERN, EXPERTS WARN

In analyzing millions of electronic medical records of adults over 65, the researchers identified two medications that appeared to reduce the likelihood of Alzheimer’s in the patients who took them.

The medications — letrozone and irinotecan — are both approved to treat cancer. Letrozole is a breast cancer medication and irinotecan treats colon and lung cancer.

When the scientists tested a combination of both medications in mice, they noted a reversal of the gene expression changes that were initiated by Alzheimer’s.

Two cancer drugs could potentially slow or even reverse the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, a new study suggests. (iStock)

They also discovered a reduction in tau protein clumps in the brain — a key marker of Alzheimer’s — and an improvement in learning and memory.

"Alzheimer’s disease comes with complex changes to the brain, which has made it tough to study and treat, but our computational tools opened up the possibility of tackling the complexity directly," said co-senior author Marina Sirota, PhD, the interim director of the UCSF Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute and professor of pediatrics, in the press release.

EATING THESE COMMON FOODS COULD REDUCE ALZHEIMER'S RISK, EXPERTS SAY

"We’re excited that our computational approach led us to a potential combination therapy for Alzheimer’s based on existing FDA-approved medications."

The results of the study, which was funded in part by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation, were published in the journal Cell on July 21.

In analyzing millions of electronic medical records of adults over 65, the researchers identified two medications that appeared to reduce the likelihood of Alzheimer’s in the patients who took them. (iStock)

While the study’s outcome was promising, the researchers acknowledged several limitations, including the fact that the database they used to identify possible drugs was built from cancer cells, not brain cells. 

They also noted that animal models were used.

"Although necessary, validation in animal models may not fully recapitulate human biology," the researchers wrote.

MEN FACE DOUBLE DEMENTIA RISK IF THEY HAVE A HIDDEN GENETIC MUTATION

There was also a noticeable gender difference in response to the medications, with male mice responding better than females.

"As a hormone modulator, letrozole might contribute to this sex difference," the team noted. "However, the analysis remains inconclusive due to the small number of male letrozole users."

The electronic medical records could also present limitations, "as data tend to be sparse and are not collected with specific research in mind."

"We’re hopeful this can be swiftly translated into a real solution for millions of patients with Alzheimer’s."

• ·山东好汉喝酒的喝法
• ·2024年日本9.2分纪录片《黑箱日记》BD日语中字迅雷下载
• ·广东实验中学队首夺中国高中篮球联赛总冠军
• ·叙利亚西北部发生爆炸 至少4人死亡5人受伤
• ·六年级英语作文：Englishteacher
• ·武磊退出国足集训 恐将缺席世预赛
• ·女子重剑世界杯无锡站中国队无缘团体赛四强
• ·2009年国产经典战争片《和平将军陶峙岳》HD国语中字迅雷下载
• ·七年来，公益路上她从未停息
• ·全国残特奥会自行车比赛首日多项全国纪录被刷新
• ·全国跳水冠军赛：朱子锋登顶男子10米台
• ·安切洛蒂宣布新一期巴西男足国家队名单
• ·仓库主管半年工作总结合集8篇
• ·田径亚锦赛次日：朱亚明、梁小静强势夺冠
• ·王楚钦夺得WTT美国大满贯男单冠军
• ·田径亚锦赛：中国队首日收获5金2银