The doctor named four main causes of Alzheimer's disease

Valery Novoselov, a geriatrician, neurologist and head of the Department of Gerontology at Moscow State University, told what factors can trigger the development of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

In conversation with aif.ru On Wednesday, June 10, the expert noted that the exact causes of Alzheimer's disease have not yet been established. The most common hypothesis is the amyloid cascade, according to which the disease is associated with the accumulation of beta-amyloid in the brain. However, this theory has been increasingly criticized in recent years.

Novoselov said that there are other versions of the origin of the disease, including the infectious theory, hypotheses about the role of prions, chaperones and herpes viruses. In his opinion, Alzheimer's disease is most likely a polyethological disease, that is, it develops under the influence of several factors at once.

In addition, a number of scientists associate the risk of developing the disease with type 2 diabetes mellitus, vascular and metabolic disorders, as well as with external factors, including traumatic brain injuries, chronic stress and sleep disorders.

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Earlier on June 9, researchers from the Swiss Higher Technical School of Zurich discovered that the accumulation of an inactive form of the GRK2 protein may be a key factor in the development of Alzheimer's disease. The study showed that the GRK2 protein, which normally supports the functioning of nerve cells and the heart, begins to accumulate in the brains of people with dementia when it becomes inactive.

On June 8, Natalya Savitskaya, a doctor, said that physical activity improves brain function and prolongs life. According to her, it is necessary to increase physical activity gradually, starting with daily walks of 10-15 minutes and eventually increasing their duration to an hour. 360.ru .

In May, the head of the Center for Cognitive and Psychoemotional Health of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia, MD, Professor Anna Bogolepova said that obvious signs of Alzheimer's disease, including problems with memory and orientation, usually appear 15-20 years after the onset of pathological processes in the brain. kp.ru .

At the same time, Anastasia Koblova, a neurologist and specialist in cognitive impairment, said that social isolation and loneliness can affect brain function through several mechanisms at once. She added that classes where movement, communication and mental stress are combined help to support the brain, RT notes.

Also in May, maxillofacial surgeon Fuad Seifullayev noted that degenerative changes in brain tissues do not occur overnight in old age, but form over decades. The specialist explained that the accumulation of toxic amyloid proteins often starts 15-20 years before the first signs of forgetfulness appear, notes Pravda.Ru .

Before that, the chief geriatrician of Moscow, Nadezhda Runikhina, in a conversation with the Moscow city news agency, said that going to the theater is an excellent prevention of dementia. According to the expert, lack of physical activity in the elderly can accelerate the decline of physical and cognitive functions and limit their independence in everyday life.

In April, neurologist Pavel Khoroshev, in an interview with NSN, stated that the first signs of memory problems are more often noticed by relatives and friends, since they are the ones who see changes in a person's habitual behavior. The specialist stressed that such symptoms should not be attributed to fatigue, since the person himself is often unaware of the changes taking place.