Medical Health Care Centre

Diet may play a role in Alzheimer’s disease. Results of recent studies have led researchers to consider a possible theory that high protein diets could leave neurons more vulnerable to Alzheimer’s plaques.

A study led by Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York (USA) found in mice, a link between a diet high in protein and Alzheimer’s disease. The findings are published in the journal Molecular Neurodegeneration.

The researchers evaluated four different menus in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease, which were fed a normal diet, a diet high in fat, low carbohydrate, high protein diet, low carbohydrate or a high option carbohydrates and low in fat.

Then the researchers examined the brain and body weight of mice and the accumulation of plaques and the differences in the structure of several brain regions involved in memory problems that occur in Alzheimer’s disease.

The mice were fed a diet high in protein, low carbohydrate had brains five percent lighter than the other and the regions of hippocampus were less developed. The result was a surprise to researchers and until proved this effect in non-transgenic mice is not clear whether brain mass loss associated with Alzheimer’s plaques.

However, the results of recent studies led the authors to consider a possible theory that high protein diets could leave neurons more vulnerable to Alzheimer’s plaques. The mice ate a high fat diet had higher levels of plaque proteins but this had no effect on plaque burden.

According says Sam Gandy, director of the study, “given the well-known association of high protein diet with the neurotoxicity associated with age, one wonders whether particular diets, when consumed at certain ages, may increase susceptibility to incidence or progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

The researchers note that the only way to answer this approach is to conduct more clinical trials on diet. “The project would be a challenge but might be worth if there were any probability that the ravages of Alzheimer’s may slow down or avoided through a healthy diet. These trials will be needed if scientists want to make specific recommendations about the risks of the diet in Alzheimer’s.