Gum Disease Bacteria Provide Clue To Alzheimer's Treatment

(new potential strategies for the treatment)

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A defective, mutant strain of the bacterium that causes gum disease could provide a clue to potential treatments for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and a number of other diseases. Researchers from the University of Florida College of Dentistry reported their findings May 25 at the 110th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology in San Diego.
Autophagy, or "self-eating," is an essential component of cellular survival and defense against invading organisms. It is how the cell degrades and recycles material into amino acids that can be reused. Several neurological disorders, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, are associated with the buildup of polypeptides within neurons. Current evidence suggests that if the affected cells could break down these plaque build-ups it would greatly increase the chances of recovery. The ability to activate autophagy within these cells could prove invaluable in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
"Although we do not yet completely understand how these diseases develop, we do know that the proteins clump together and form a plaque buildup in affected patients' neurons. If we can direct the cell's own ability to break down waste products against the plaques, we could keep them from forming and potentially intercept the development of these and other diseases," says Ann Progulske-Fox, a researcher on the study. Read more: redorbit.com

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Food choice process model

Due to the increasing proportion of the elderly in the European Union knowledge of health and nutritional status has to be complemented by studies focused on food preferences and health behavior. A comprehensive literature review has been conducted. The state of the art documents a gap in understanding why differences exist between food knowledge, attitudes and practices. Inadequate attention has been given to cultural factors. Research into the reasons for nutrition behavior and food choice is of key importance for the future. Read more: content.karger.com

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