Alzheimer’s Disease
What is a ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE?
Dementia makes it hard to remember and think clearly, affecting daily life. Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia (60-80% of cases). It usually happens to older people, with most being 65 or older. If it affects someone younger than 65, it's called "younger-onset" or "early-onset Alzheimer's." Alzheimer's progresses over time, starting with mild memory loss. Trouble remembering new things is an early sign. Brain changes in Alzheimer's affect learning and cause memory loss, confusion, and more. In later stages, people struggle to talk or react to their surroundings. Symptoms worsen as the disease spreads through the brain. People with Alzheimer's might not realize they need help, so family and friends should watch for signs of dementia.
WHAT IS Amyloid Plaque?
Amyloid plaque is a sticky buildup of a protein called beta-amyloid that forms between nerve cells (neurons) in the brain. Too much amyloid plaque is thought to play a key role in Alzheimer's disease by disrupting how neurons work and communicate with each other.
WHAT IS TAU?
Tau is another protein in the brain that normally helps stabilize the internal structure of neurons. In Alzheimer's disease, tau forms into twisted tangles inside neurons. These tau tangles are thought to block the transport of nutrients and other molecules inside neurons, causing them to die.
WHAT IS A Plasma Amyloid Marker?
A plasma amyloid marker is a blood test that measures the levels of beta-amyloid in the bloodstream. High levels may indicate a buildup of amyloid plaques in the brain. This test is relatively new, and more research is being done on how accurate it is at detecting Alzheimer's disease.
WHAT IS a PET Scan?
A positron emission tomography (PET) scan is a type of imaging test that allows doctors to see amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain. During the scan, a small amount of a radioactive drug is injected into the bloodstream. This drug attaches to amyloid and tau, allowing the scanner to produce detailed 3D images of the brain showing their location and amount.
What is a Lumbar Puncture?
A lumbar puncture, also called a spinal tap, is a procedure where a thin needle is inserted into the lower back to collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Levels of beta-amyloid and tau in the CSF can help diagnose Alzheimer's disease. While very accurate, a lumbar puncture is more invasive than a blood test or PET scan.
Sensitivity &
Specificity
Sensitivity is how well a test finds people who really have the disease (a high sensitivity means the test has few false negatives). Specificity is how well a test rules out people who don't have the disease (a high specificity means the test has few false positives).
Here are some examples of the Sensitivity and Specificity of some of the tests for Alzheimer's testing:
Plasma Amyloid Marker
- Sensitivity: 80-95%
- Specificity: 75-90% Plasma amyloid marker tests are relatively new and their accuracy is still being refined. Current research suggests they have good sensitivity for detecting Alzheimer's disease but may have more false positives compared to other tests.
(Karikari et al., 2020; Palmqvist et al., 2020)
PET Scan
Amyloid PET
- Sensitivity: 90-95%
- Specificity: 85-90%
Tau PET
- Sensitivity: 80-95%
- Specificity: 85-95% PET scans are highly accurate for detecting the presence of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain. Amyloid PET is slightly more sensitive, while tau PET has a bit higher specificity.
(Barthel et al., 2021; Fleisher et al., 2020)
Lumbar Puncture
(CSF Analysis)
Beta-amyloid
- Sensitivity: 80-95%
- Specificity: 85-95%
Tau
- Sensitivity: 80-95%
- Specificity: 85-95% Lumbar punctures are considered the gold standard for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease based on CSF biomarkers. They have high sensitivity and specificity for detecting abnormal levels of both beta-amyloid and tau proteins.
(Hansson et al., 2019; Leitao et al., 2021)
Eating Right for Alzheimer's Disease
If you or a loved one are concerned about Alzheimer's disease, you may have heard about special diets that could help protect the brain. Two popular options are the MIND diet and the Bredesen diet. Let's take a closer look at what these diets involve and how they might be helpful.
The Bottom Line While both the MIND and Bredesen diets show promise for supporting brain health and potentially reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease, it's important to remember that there is no surefire way to prevent the condition. These diets are based on research but are not guaranteed to work for everyone.
way to prevent the condition. These diets are based on research but are not guaranteed to work for everyone.
Before making big changes to your eating habits, it's always a good idea to talk with your doctor or a registered dietitian. They can help you decide if one of these diets is right for you and make sure you're still getting all the nutrients your body needs.
In general, eating a balanced diet rich in whole foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats is a smart choice for overall health, including brain health. Combining a nutritious diet with regular exercise, mentally stimulating activities, and staying socially connected may offer the most benefits for keeping your brain sharp as you age.
The MIND Diet
The MIND diet combines parts of the Mediterranean diet and the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet, both of which are known for their health benefits. The name "MIND" stands for Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay.
The MIND diet also recommends limiting foods that may be bad for brain health, such as red meat, butter, cheese, pastries, sweets, and fried or fast food. (Morris et al., 2015; Hosking et al., 2019; Berendsen et al., 2018)
Wine
Vegetables
Nuts
Berries
Beans
Whole grains
Fish
Poultry
Olive Oil
The Bredesen Diet
The Bredesen diet, also known as the ReCODE Protocol, was developed by Dr. Dale Bredesen. It's a more complex program that looks at 36 different factors that can affect brain health, including diet, exercise, sleep, stress, and various medical conditions.
In addition to diet changes, the Bredesen protocol also recommends regular exercise, stress reduction techniques, getting enough sleep, and taking certain supplements.
Avoiding gluten, dairy, and processed foods
Low glycemic index foods
Foods that don't cause a big spike in blood sugar
Healthy Fats
Like those found in nuts, seeds, avocados, and olive oil
Non-starchy vegetables
Limited fruit intake
Protein
Moderate amounts of protein from wild-caught fish, pastured eggs, and grass-fed meat
Eligibility Criteria
TB-REAL Observational Study
Male & Female
Age
60+
Annovis Early Alzheimer's Study
Male & Female
Age
55-85
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