While most Alzheimer’s detection and prevention research focuses on the aggregation of tau tangles and amyloid-beta proteins in the brain, some novel approaches are finding success elsewhere. A research team led by Eugenia Trushina, recently received the Alzheimer’s Drug Discover Foundation-Harrington Scholar Award to fund their research into mitochondrial restoration, a novel approach with surprising results in preventing Alzheimer’s decline.
- Mitochondria are energy producing organelles present in most cells in the body
- A reduction in energy produced by mitochondria can be an early sign of Alzheimer’s
The mitochondria are often referred to as the “powerhouse of the cell”, they populate every single cell except for red blood cells. They can sense any changes associated with energy and their primary job is to do everything possible for the cell to survive. They tell the nucleus of the cell what to do and they can do anything else in the cell to make sure the organism survives.
Mitochondria are new targets for neurodegenerative disorders, and this is the first study of its kind, a novel target and if everything goes well, there could be clinical trials in a couple of years. Another great research project that could have a huge impact on diagnoses and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease! Stay the course, stay well, mask up, get vaccinated and stay tuned!