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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : May 15, 2014 12:59 PM IST
A commonly prescribed antidepressant may reduce production of a brain protein related to the development of Alzheimer's disease, showed a new US study conducted in mice and healthy people.Although the findings are encouraging, the researchers cautioned that it would be premature for people to take antidepressants solely to slow the development of the disorder, according to Xinhua.
Alzheimer's is characterised by the buildup of amyloid beta, a protein that accumulates in the brains of those with the disease. The accumulated clumps of amyloid beta are known as plaques, which are tied closely to memory problems and other cognitive impairments. Plaques also are sometimes present in cognitively normal brains.In the new study, researchers at the Washington University and the University of Pennsylvania found antidepressant citalopram can reduce amyloid beta production by an average of 25 percent within two days in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. In addition, giving the mice the antidepressant stopped the growth of existing plaques and reduced the formation of new plaques by 78 percent. In a second experiment, 23 healthy people aged 18-50 who were not cognitively impaired or depressed, were administered 60 mg citalopram, roughly equivalent to the dose used in mice. Samples of spinal fluid taken from the participants over the next 24 hours showed a 37 percent drop in amyloid beta production. (Read: Could a sleep disorder indicate Alzheimer's or Parkinson's?)
'Antidepressants appear to be significantly reducing amyloid beta production, and that's exciting,' said senior author John Cirrito, assistant professor of neurology at the Washington University. 'But while antidepressants generally are well tolerated, they have risks and side effects. Until we can more definitively prove that these drugs help slow or stop Alzheimer's in humans, the risks aren't worth it. There is still much more work to do,' Cirrito said. The researchers next planned to test the effects of citalopram on amyloid beta production in individuals 65 and over. (Read: Could you suffer from Alzheimer's in the future? Take this blood test to find out)
The findings were published Wednesday in the US journal Science Translational Medicine.
What is Alzheimer's?
Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative mental disease that causes problems with memory, thinking and behaviour. It is the most common form of dementia and is commonly seen in the elderly. While the chances of developing the disease increase with age, it is now seen that younger people are also now being diagnosedwith the disease.
During the course of Alzheimer's disease, nerve cells in areas of the brain that control language, reasoning, sensory processing, and conscious thought die due to plaque deposition. Symptoms include confusion, mood swings, impaired reasoning or judgement, long-term memory loss and a gradual loss of bodily functions.Dementia is the most prominently visible symptom. People with Alzheimer's begin to have problems recognising family and friends. They also find it exceptionally difficult to learn new things, carry out tasks that involve multiple steps (like getting dressed) and cope with new situations. They might suffer from insomnia. In the more severe stages of Alzheimer's disease, the brain completely shrinks and they become increasinglydependent on others.
The diagnosis of Alzheimer's is usually based on collective symptoms and family history. Other tests that can be performed are mental status tests and radiological tests. A recent advancement in the diagnosis of the disease is the use of biomarkers. Current treatments for Alzheimer's are based on treating the symptoms but they do not eliminate the cause. The best way to slow the process and prevent it from progressing is early medical intervention. The earlier the condition is identified, the better the prognosis. Treatments include medications for memory loss and treatments for behavioural and sleep changes. Intervention therapies like reminiscence therapy, simulated presence therapy and validation theory may improve the quality of a patient's life. (Read: Alzeimer's disease it's more common than you think)
With inputs from IANS
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