Brain’s Cleaning System Failure Linked to Alzheimer’s

Groundbreaking research reveals a direct connection between the brain’s waste removal process and the early onset of Alzheimer’s disease. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Queensland, offers new insights into how this devastating illness initiates and progresses.

The Brain’s Waste Removal System

Researchers at the University of Queensland have unveiled a critical link between the brain’s waste clearance mechanisms and the deterioration of neurons associated with Alzheimer’s disease. This research suggests that impaired waste removal could be a key factor in the disease’s development.

“The research focused on specific brain neurons which are the first to die in Alzheimer’s disease.”

—Professor Elizabeth Coulson, UQ’s School of Biomedical Sciences and Queensland Brain Institute

The research, which spanned five years, examined both human subjects and animal models. The team discovered that neurons, responsible for cognitive function, also manage the flow of blood and fluid vital for the brain’s cleaning process. Approximately 55 million people worldwide are living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias (Alzheimer’s Association, 2024).

New Discoveries

Professor Kai-Hsiang Chuang, lead author of the study, noted the potential of the research to guide new diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches. The study revealed that the degeneration of brain neurons and the accumulation of toxic proteins coincide in Alzheimer’s. Furthermore, the researchers found that commonly prescribed Alzheimer’s drugs partially restored the flow of waste fluid.

Challenging Existing Beliefs

Professor Coulson also commented on the study’s findings, which challenge existing assumptions about the timing of the brain’s waste disposal system. She noted that the neurons that first die in Alzheimer’s are active during wakefulness. More investigation is needed to explore the relationship between toxin clearance and sleep-wake cycles.

This research builds on Professor Coulson’s two decades of work, including her findings that obstructive sleep apnea can cause Alzheimer’s-like neurodegeneration. She also identified how the neurotrophin brain receptor, p75NTR, triggers neuronal death in the disease.

Future Directions

Professor Coulson is working to develop a drug to target this p75 cell death receptor. The goal is to stop the neurons from dying, rather than merely treating the symptoms of dementia. In a collaborative study, led by Dr. Ying Xia, current Alzheimer’s drugs are being evaluated to determine their effectiveness and potential for earlier intervention.