Aspirin ‘clears toxin linked to Alzheimer’s’
A LOW dose of aspirin may help brain cells clear away a “toxic protein molecule” at the core of Alzheimer’s, early research suggested yesterday.
Scientists showed that the common pain killer stimulated cellular machinery that acts as a waste disposal system to keep the brain “clean”.
Genetically engineered mice given the drug had reduced levels of beta amyloid peptide, a key hallmark of Alzheimer’s. Impaired clearance of this protein building block from the brain is thought to be one of the main causes of the disease.
A US team led by Professor Kalipada Pahan, from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, found low-dose aspirin stimulated the formation of lysosomes – tiny sacs in cells filled with digestive enzymes that help break down and clear away unwanted or harmful material.
Potential
The scientists wrote in the journal JNeurosci: “Stimulation of lysosomal biogenesis by a low dose of aspirin holds promising therapeutic potential for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.”
However British experts urged caution. Professor Tara Spires-Jones, from the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, said: “While this work is scientifically interesting, it is at very early stages. More work must be done in order to know whether low-dose aspirin could help prevent or treat Alzheimer’s.”
And Rob Howard, Professor of Old Age Psychiatry at University College London, added: “Clinical trials of aspirin have already been performed in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
“The drug had no beneficial effects and was associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal haemorrhage.”
Meanwhile, a report warns today that Britain is heading for a dementia crisis, with millions of people expected to fall victim to the disease without having prepared for it.
By 2025 more than 13 million people at risk of mental incapacity will have no legal or medical plans in place for their care.
Three-quarters of the population fear dementia or the loss of capacity to make decisions. However, 49 million people have not made relevant legal provision.
Now a coalition of seven prominent national charities – including Alzheimer’s Society, Age UK and Dying Matters – have joined to alert people , using research from think tank the Centre for Future Studies.
They say that people are reluctant to discuss incapacity because of “taboos” around conditions like dementia.
Some 65 per cent of people incorrectly believe that they can leave decisions to their next of kin, without taking legal steps to ensure that happens. Jeremy Hughes CBE, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Society, said: “Lasting powers of attorney (LPA) for health and welfare often get overlooked.
“But planning ahead for future care and treatment can be just as important as financial planning, and for some people more so.
“Making someone they trust their attorney for health and welfare is one of the ways people can do this.”