New research suggests Alzheimer’s a result of deleted brain receptors

New research has discovered the deletion of certain underused brain cells throughout life contributes to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

AMPA receptors, which are a vital part of maintaining memories, get lost over time when the memories associated with the receptors aren’t recalled for a long period of time. As the number of receptors decrease, the memory is gradually erased.

Whilst studying on rats, scientists from the University of Edinburgh made the discovery which they hope will now be used to help combat the affects of Alzheimer’s but also help findings into long lasting memories – such as those associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Research is now underway to develop drugs that target AMPA receptor removal that will help Alzheimer’s patients, but further investigation into the side effects is required before any medication could be utilised.

These results were published in The Journal of Neuroscience, but if you would like to learn more about Alzheimer’s, or dementia as a whole, you can read our Dementia Series, here.

Image source: NIH Image Gallery, FlickR