Psychology Update — Alzheimer’s researchers are looking beyond plaques and tangles for new treatments

Posted September 19th, 2022 by David Berg & filed under Brain Structure and Function, Cognitive Psychology, Introduction To Psychology, Nervous System, Psychology Update, Stress and Health Psychology.

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Alzheimer’s researchers are looking beyond plaques and tangles for new treatments

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Psychologists and Neuroscientists have long been studying dementia and particularly Alzheimer’s disease. While there have been strides to understanding how the disease effects the brain, there is yet an incomplete understanding. Now research has uncovered some interesting new data which may lead to treatments.

From the article:

“The field of Alzheimer’s research is branching out.

After decades of focusing on the sticky amyloid plaques and tangled tau fibers associated with the disease, brain researchers are searching for other potential causes of impaired memory and thinking.

That search is on full display this week at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (active link) in San Diego, where sessions are exploring factors including genes, brain injury, clogged arteries and inflammation.

A group of researchers from Seattle even unveiled a highly detailed atlas (active link) showing how different types of brain cells change in Alzheimer’s. The goal is to help scientists identify new approaches to treatment.”

The article discusses the new findings and the hope for “new approaches to treatment.” This is an excellent article to understand the applications of neuroscience.

SOURCE

NPR, August 1, 2022, by Jon Hamilton

(NPR Morning Edition: Essay and audio of the broadcast — 3 minutes)

LINK TO RESOURCE

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/08/01/1113825311/alzheimers-researchers-are-looking-beyond-plaques-and-tangles-for-new-treatments

(Tiny URL) https://tinyurl.com/yztcux6k

CLASS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

•First: what is Alzheimer’s Disease? How does it affect the brain? What are the behavioral symptoms?

•How do the current data and findings demonstrate that the existing theories of Alzheimer’s Disease (“sticky amyloid plaques and tangled tau fibers”) do not adequately explain how the brain is damaged?

•What are the findings of the new research in regard to the possible causes and subsequent treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease?

•What role can Psychologists play in the research and treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease?

Disease, Dementia, Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease, Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease