New clues that Alzheimer’s may have been spread during surgery

ConclusionThis latest research adds some evidence to the possibility that amyloid beta proteins could have been passed on during certain types of treatment, which introduced substances derived from donor brains or pituitary glands into the body. However, these types of treatment are no longer used. The theory is far from certain, and other possible causes need to be investigated. Even if the theory was proven, we don't know that having these proteins introduced into the brain in this way would cause Alzheimer's disease. All the evidence showing amyloid protein in the brain after medical treatment has come from studies of the brains of people known to have been infected with prions causing CJD. None of these people actually showed outward signs of Alzheimer's. There is absolutely no need to worry about "catching" Alzheimer's disease through day-to-day contact with people who have the disease, whether you are a carer or a family member. There is no reason to think the condition has been passed on through routine surgery or blood transfusions. However, doctors will want to look at how instruments are decontaminated, to ensure that the precautions now taken against passing on prion diseases are also adequate to protect against possible transmission of amyloid beta protein. Links To The Headlines Can you CATCH Alzheimer's? Fresh fears emerge amid claims of a second case of transmission from a transplant. Mail Online, January 26 2016Is Alzheimer's passed from person to p...
Source: NHS News Feed - Category: Consumer Health News Tags: Neurology Medical practice Source Type: news