Higher levels of copper in amyloid plaques associated with degree of neurodegeneration | About memory
Following on from the evidence that Alzheimers brains show higher levels of metals such as iron, copper, and zinc, a mouse study has found that amyloid plaques in Alzheimers-like brains with significant neurodegeneration have about 25% more copper than those with little neurodegeneration. This is consistent with a human study showing very high levels of copper in Alzheimers plaques.. Iron, though doubled in Alzheimers brains compared to controls, was not significantly different as a function of neurodegeneration, and zinc showed very little difference.. The findings suggest that the cellular control of copper is altered in some way in Alzheimers brains, while the increase in oxidized iron suggests it might be useful as a biomarker for the early diagnosis of Alzheimers.. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-08/ip-elo082113.php. [3555] Bourassa, M. W., Leskovjan A. C., Tappero R. V., Farquhar E. R., Colton C. A., Van Nostrand W. E., et al. ...
Less cognitive decline in Danish nonagenarians | About memory
A large Danish study comparing two groups of nonagenarians born 10 years apart has found that not only were people born in 1915 nearly a third (32%) more likely to reach the age of 95 than those in the 1905 cohort, but members of the group born in 1915 performed significantly better on tests of cognitive ability and activities of daily living. Additionally, significantly more members of the later cohort scored maximally on the MMSE (23% vs 13% of the earlier cohort). All this even though the later cohort were on average two years older than the first cohort when tested (94-5 vs 92-3 years). The difference doesnt appear to be due to education (educational achievement was slightly higher in the 1915 cohort, but only in women, who had overall very low educational attainment in both groups). Its suggested that factors such as better diet and general living conditions, improved health care, and greater intellectual stimulation have helped the younger cohort improve their cognitive ...