Research conducted by the Ph.D student Mohamed RaĆ¢fet Ben Khedher and the postdoctoral researcher Mohamed Haddad of the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) has shown that an oxidation-antioxidant imbalance in the blood is an early indicator of Alzheimer’s disease, rather than a consequence. This breakthrough made by researchers under the supervision of the ProfessorĀ Charles RamassamyĀ provides an avenue for preventive intervention: the antioxidants intake.
The research team showed that oxidative markers, known to be involved in Alzheimer’s disease, show an increase up to five years before the onset of the disease. TheĀ results of this study, published in theĀ Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring (DADM)Ā journal, suggest that oxidation may be an early marker of this disease that affects more than 500,000 Canadians.
āGiven that there is an increase in oxidative stress in people who develop the disease, we may regulate the antioxidant systems. For example, we could modulate the antioxidant systems, such as apolipoproteins J and D, which transport lipids and cholesterol in the blood and play an important role in brain function and Alzheimer’s disease. Another avenue would be to increase the intake of antioxidants through nutritionā, says Professor Ramassamy.
Accessible biomarkers
Unlike the current set of invasive and expensive tests used to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, the oxidative markers discovered by Professor Ramassamy’s research team can be detected by a blood test. These markers are found in plasma extracellular vesicles, which are pockets released by all cells in the body, including those in the brain.
The research team focused specifically on the “sporadic” Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of the disease which results primarily from the presence of the APOE4 susceptibility gene. This same form of the disease had been studied by the team for otherĀ early markers.
āBy identifying oxidative markers in the blood of individuals at risk five years before the onset of the disease, we could make recommendations to slow the onset of the disease and limit the risksā, scientists noted.
This breakthrough brings new hope to Alzheimer’s research. Once the disease is symptomatic, it is difficult, if not impossible, to reverse it.
About the study
The article “Effect of APOE ε4 allele on levels of apolipoproteins E, J, and D, and redox signature in circulating extracellular vesicles from cognitively impaired with no dementia participants converted to Alzheimer’s disease“, by Mohamed RaĆ¢fet Ben Khedher, Mohamed Haddad, Danielle Laurin, and Charles Ramassamy, was published in theĀ Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring (DADM)Ā journal. The research was supported by a donation from the Charron family through theĀ Fondation Armand-Frappier, as part of theĀ Louise and AndrĆ© Charron Research Chair on Alzheimer’s Disease, enabling the acquisition of a crucial piece of equipment, the NanoSight NS300. The study also received financial support from theĀ MinistĆØre des Relations internationales et de la FrancophonieĀ (MRIF), theĀ Institut sur la nutrition et les aliments fonctionnelsĀ (INAF) and theĀ Quebec Research Network on AgingĀ (RQRV).
About INRS
INRSĀ is a university dedicated exclusively to graduate level research and training. Since its creation in 1969, INRS has played an active role in QuĆ©becās economic, social, and cultural development and is ranked first for research intensity in QuĆ©bec and in Canada. INRS is made up of four interdisciplinary research and training centres in QuĆ©bec City, MontrĆ©al, Laval, and Varennes, with expertise in strategic sectors:Ā Eau Terre Environnement,Ā Ćnergie MatĆ©riaux TĆ©lĆ©communications,Ā Urbanisation Culture SociĆ©tĆ©, andĀ Armand-Frappier SantĆ© Biotechnologie. The INRS community includes more than 1,500 students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty members, and staff.
SourceĀ :
Audrey-Maude VƩzina
Service des communications de lāINRS
418Ā 254-2156
JOURNAL
Alzheimer s & Dementia Diagnosis Assessment & Disease Monitoring
ARTICLE TITLE
Effect of APOE ε4 allele on levels of apolipoproteins E, J, and D, and redox signature in circulating extracellular vesicles from cognitively impaired with no dementia participants converted to Alzheimer’s disease
ARTICLE PUBLICATION DATE
14-Sep-2021
You must log in to post a comment.