Alzheimer’s disease, a neurodegenerative condition, has long been believed to develop internally. However, a recent study conducted by researchers at the University College London (UCL) has identified cases where the disease was triggered by a specific medical treatment. The researchers found a link between growth hormone treatments and the development of Alzheimer’s.
The study, published in Nature Medicine, revealed that patients who received a type of human growth hormone derived from the pituitary glands of deceased individuals had a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s. These patients showed increased levels of amyloid-beta protein, a key contributor to the development of the disease.
The study focused on eight individuals who received this growth hormone treatment as children. Five of them developed symptoms of dementia and were either diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or met the criteria for the disease. The onset of cognitive decline occurred between the ages of 38 and 55, and genetic testing confirmed that the disease was not inherited.
The researchers made it clear that Alzheimer’s disease cannot be transmitted through person-to-person contact in daily life or routine medical care. The transmission observed in this study was a result of specific and long-discontinued medical treatments that involved repeated exposure to contaminated material.
It is worth noting that the growth hormone treatment mentioned in the study was suspended in 1985 due to its association with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), another degenerative brain disorder.
Dr. Rehan Aziz, a geriatric psychiatrist, acknowledged the potential evidence presented in the study for a rare transmissible form of Alzheimer’s disease. However, he highlighted that the study population was small and that further research is needed to confirm and replicate the findings.
Christopher Weber, Director of Global Science Initiatives at the Alzheimer’s Association, emphasized the importance of understanding the possible risks and implementing measures to eliminate the transmission of pathogens. Weber also recognized the limitations of the study and highlighted the need for confirmation and replication.
In conclusion, while the study sheds light on a rare and uncommon form of Alzheimer’s disease, it is essential to emphasize that the disease is not contagious and cannot be transmitted through normal interaction or routine medical procedures. The findings should be used to enhance preventive measures and ensure the safety of medical treatments.
Headlines for WordPress article:
– Study Links Growth Hormone Treatment to Development of Alzheimer’s Disease
– Researchers Identify Rare Transmissible Form of Alzheimer’s Disease
– Alzheimer’s Disease Triggered by Specific Medical Treatment, Study Finds
– Findings Highlight Importance of Pathogen Transmission Prevention in Medical Procedures
Important words for WordPress article (bolded):
– Alzheimer’s disease, neurodegenerative condition
– specific medical treatment
– growth hormone treatments
– University College London (UCL)
– amyloid-beta protein
– pituitary glands
– dementia, cognitive decline
– Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD)
– transmissible form
– confirmation and replication
– pathogen transmission prevention