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A study by doctoral student Mohamed Raafet Ben Hedher and doctoral student Mohamed Haddad of the National Institute for Scientific Research (INRS) showed that an imbalance between oxidation and antioxidants in the blood is an early sign of Alzheimer's, not a consequence. This breakthrough, made by researchers led by Professor Charles Ramassa, paves the way for preventive intervention: antioxidant supplementation.

The research team showed that oxidative markers known to be involved in Alzheimer's disease increase five years before the onset of the disease. The results of this study suggest that oxidation may be an early marker of this disease, which affects more than 500,000 Canadians.

“Given that people who develop the disease experience increased oxidative stress, we can regulate antioxidant systems. For example, we could modulate antioxidant systems like apolipoproteins J and D, which transport lipids and cholesterol in the blood and play an important role in brain function and Alzheimer's disease. Another way is to increase the intake of antioxidants through food, ”says Professor Ramassami.

Unlike the current suite of invasive and expensive tests used to diagnose Alzheimer's disease, the oxidative markers found by Professor Ramassa's research team can be detected through blood tests. These markers are found in the extracellular plasma vesicles, which are pockets released by all cells in the body, including brain cells.

The research team focused on "sporadic" Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of the disease that occurs primarily due to the presence of the APOE4 susceptibility gene. This same form of the disease was studied by the team for other early markers.

“By identifying oxidative markers in the blood of people at risk five years before the onset of the disease, we could make recommendations to slow the onset of the disease and limit the risks,” the scientists noted.

This breakthrough gives new hope to Alzheimer's researchers. Until the disease begins to manifest, its development can be stopped, which becomes almost impossible after the onset of symptoms.

The article was published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring (DADM)
PHOTO: © Shutterstock / Fotodom

Source: scientificrussia.ru, sci-dig.ru