Contents:
- Medical Video: Probiotics: A New Treatment for Alzheimer's?
- Does Alzheimer's have a cure?
- How do probiotics work for Alzheimer's?
- Research regarding probiotic benefits for Alzheimer's is still limited
- Probiotic supplements for Alzheimer's have not yet received official approval
Medical Video: Probiotics: A New Treatment for Alzheimer's?
Alzheimer's is the biggest cause of dementia, which is around 60-70% of all cases of dementia. Various treatments for Alzheimer's continue to be developed, and now scientists are exploring the possibility of the effectiveness of probiotics for Alzheimer's as an alternative.
Does Alzheimer's have a cure?
Alzheimer's is characterized by two abnormalities in the brain, namely the formation of amyloid plaques and entanglement neurofibriler (neurofibrillary tangles) Both of them together will inhibit communication between nerve cells in the brain and cause cell death. This disease is a degenerative disease that attacks the brain and is progressive.
Currently there is already a cure for Alzheimer's, but its effectiveness is very limited. Keith Fargo, a director of Scientific Programs and Outreach for the Alzheimer's Association states that Alzheimer's drugs that are circulating now do not slow down the processes that occur in the brain. Therefore, the world of global medicine is still in the search for new approaches to treat Alzheimer's. One approach that is being explored is the effort to destroy amyloid plaques that play a role in the development of Alzheimer's disease.
A drug named verubecestat currently in phase III research. This drug is known to inhibit the BACE1 enzyme, which is the biggest contributor to Alzheimer's disease. In addition, this drug can also reduce toxic levels -amyloid which forms plaque and damages the brain of Alzheimer's sufferers.
In addition to drugs, lifestyle is also an important factor that regulates the development of Alzheimer's disease. A large study shows that exercise and physical activity can at least slow the onset of dementia symptoms for Alzheimer's sufferers.
How do probiotics work for Alzheimer's?
Probiotics are usually known as "good" or beneficial bacteria and can be found in yogurt or various other dairy products. Although probiotics have long been recommended for consumption by sufferers of digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), recent research has shown that probiotics are also good for the brain. This is because the intestine and brain are actually physically and chemically connected. Intestinal and brain connections are formed through the central nervous system that controls all activities in the body.
The brain is also connected to the intestine through good bacteria that live in your intestine. Colonies of intestinal bacteria are even responsible for making more than 30 neurotransmitters. Molecules produced from bacteria in the intestine can act as signals that can be read by the brain.
In a recent study, researchers managed to use probiotics for Alzheimer's, to slow down the process of decreasing cognitive function in Alzheimer's sufferers.
Research regarding probiotic benefits for Alzheimer's is still limited
Some doctors from a hospital in Iran conducted a study with random and closed samples in women and men aged between 60-95 years. The study participants were given milk in certain doses which have been added by four types of probiotic bacteria every day. The four types of probiotics include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Lactobacillus fermentum. As a control, there are also groups that are given milk without probiotics.
The study participants were measured by the MMSE method (Mini Mental State Examnation scale), a measuring instrument used to measure a person's cognitive function. This test has several benchmarks such as the ability to count, remember, speak, maintain attention, and the ability to follow simple instructions. In addition to being tested using MMSE, the blood of the participants was also taken to measure the levels of biomarkers in the blood that were a marker of oxidative stress. This level of oxidative stress can describe cell damage such as inflammation and a person's metabolic profile.
At the end of the twelfth week, the participants who were given probiotics for their Alzheimer's showed improvement in their MMSE test results, while the control group experienced a slight decrease in MMSE values. However, administration of antibiotics does not show a significant improvement in biomarker levels of oxidative stress.
Probiotic supplements for Alzheimer's have not yet received official approval
Although research on the treatment of Alzheimer's has progressed, some things still need special attention. Positive results from a study do provide good news, but these drugs still have to go through the trial phase until they get permission from the FDA.
To find out whether probiotics for Alzheimer's are indeed effective and safe to use, there is still a need for other larger studies, with more samples. It is also important for patients and doctors to know the risks that might occur, even though the ingredients used are probiotics that seem harmless.
