Alzheimer's Shows Some Prion-like Qualities

In a new study published in the journal Molecular Psychiatry, researchers have found that Alzheimer's Disease shares some qualities with prion diseases. Most of the negative effects of Alzheimer's start with an accumulation of misfolded amyloid-beta proteins. When those same misfolded proteins are injected into a healthy test animal, the animal would start to exhibit the symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease as the misfolded proteins accumulated. In this way, the disease is similar to a prion disease, where exposure to even a small amount of prion results in an accumulation of prions, leading to a disease. These findings will allow for more research on the mechanisms and treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.

--Sarah Kaewert