Could Alzheimer's Be Contagious? Delving Into the Controversial Debate

Exploring the Latest Research and Theories on Alzheimer’s Transmission

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a sad reality that many people around the world are still living with. They all pointed out that Alzheimer disease is not only a memory disorder it is an ongoing robber that deprives individuals of their personalities, their families, and lastly their lives. With such an extensive effect profile, one could hardly be surprised that, researches are fidgeting in attempts to elucidate this pathology’s nature. But what if there’s more to it. Could notwithstanding Alzheimer’s be contagious? This question has brought a lot of controversy among scientists and today we’ll examine the current researches and concepts that begin this fierce debate.

Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s is fundamentally a strong, long term brain condition that features the deterioration of thinking, learning, and memory skills and manifests itself in symptoms such as confusion, mood changes and disorientation. It usually progresses and gradually takes over one’s executive skills. Alzheimer’s disease in the past is broadly defined as the pathologies interacting with the determined susceptible genetic background and modifiable risk factors. Since, this model has defined how and why Alzheimer’s comes into existence.

The Emergence of a Controversial Theory

Going into something slightly more unusual, late in an experiment called IUD Medicare levitation carried out by some researchers, they proposed that Alzheimer’s might be transmissible in certain circumstances. Yes, you read that right! This hypothesis postulates that in some conditions Alzheimer’s can turn infectious and spread between people. There were previous similar cases?—?people began to worry how therapies that use organs could contribute to the development of the disease, and the treatment with human growth hormone obtained from the corpses added fuel to the fire. Alzheimer’s could potentially spread between individuals. Historical precedents?—?like the concerns that arose from human growth hormone therapy derived from cadavers?—?have fed into this speculation, sparking fears about how medical practices could unintentionally contribute to the disease’s spread.

Evidence Supporting the?Theory

One of the main areas explored under the evidence base is the amyloid-beta proteins. Some of these proteins are acknowledged to build the poisonous plaques present in Alzheimer’s disease. Amyloid-beta may be considered transmissible under very specific medical circumstances, including in the course of particular surgical operations.

Animal investigations have offered some important information about the subject: amyloid-beta spread is possible in a conditions maintained in laboratories. Such findings have been visible to other researchers who support this theory and question the way we work on the modes of transmission for neurodegenerative diseases.

Evidence Against the?Theory

At this point, it is therefore important to look at those counterarguments the opponents will have. As of now, key parties like the CDC and WHO are insistent that Alzheimer’s is not an infectious disease. While the general public lacks data regarding human-to-human transmission, or the absence thereof, many scientists dispute transmissibility theory, and call for proper statistical data before making such conclusions.?

Implications for Public Health and Future?Research

Alzheimer’s is one disease that when the transmissibility has been discovered it will have such massive repercussions in the world of treatment and the stopping of its spread. It would not only change the approaches and treatments we take, as a society, but it also transform the views that people have for chronic illnesses such as diabetes. Therefore, the need for a continuous study endeavor to affirms or deny the above assertions. The lack of knowledge is as big a problem?—?people might have avoided exposures to pathogens in the future had they known the modes of transmission of these diseases, treatment and prevention. It would shift not only our medical protocols but also public perception of the disease. Consequently, ongoing research is essential to validate or refute these claims. Public awareness is equally important?—?understanding transmission risks could inform behaviors and health practices moving forward.

Conclusion

As we wrap up this exploration, the question remains: What the future has in store for Alzheimer’s research??

The question of transmissibility, although is still a matter of debate, uncovers a very intriguing discourses of how we perceive and prevent this illness. Information is power, and offering our support for research endeavors can go towards creating paths that might lead to new discoveries and alter the fate of Alzheimer’s. Okay then let the discussion continue and let us act in as much as giving advocacy for awareness especially if there is confusion.

If you’re interested in further reading, check out these?studies:

• Jucker, M., & Walker, L. C. (2018). Propagation and spread of pathogenic protein assemblies in neurodegenerative diseases. Nature Neuroscience, 21(10), 1341–1349.
• Purro, S. A., et al. (2018). Transmission of amyloid-β protein pathology from cadaveric pituitary growth hormone. Nature, 564(7736), 224–228.
• Asante, E. A., et al. (2014). A naturally occurring variant of the human prion protein completely prevents prion disease. Nature, 522(7557), 478–481.
• Selkoe, D. J. (2019). Alzheimer disease and aducanumab: hoping for a public health epiphany. New England Journal of Medicine, 381(8), 789–791.

This article was originally published by Integrated Healthcare.