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Study explains why brain cells die in Alzheimer's patients

01/30/12

According to recent research at the University of Calgary, Alzheimer's patients' brain cells are killed because of a malfunctioning neurotransmitter receptor called NMDA.

The receptor affected is responsible for memory and learning and is regulated by copper, according to researchers Dr. Gerald Zamponi and Dr. Peter Stys.

Researchers determined that in cases of Alzheimer's, copper is prevented from regulating NMDA receptors, meaning the cells are over-stimulated and eventually die.

"Ultimately, we are seeing an underlying deficiency in copper, but at a sub-cellular level," Stys said. "Unfortunately, because of the way that the body regulates copper, we can't simply eat more of a certain kind of food or take a copper supplement to compensate. What we are looking at now is the development of a drug that acts on the NMDA receptor to mimic the effect of copper in the brain."

With an estimated 5.4 million people having Alzheimer's, according to the Alzheimer's Association, Americans might look to explore life insurance to prepare for an uncertain future.

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