The signal of a sick brain: scientists have explained an early and non-obvious sign of dementia

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Recent studies show that apathy is one of the early signs of dementia. It is encountered before the decline in cognitive functions becomes apparent and problems with memory and thinking arise.

Scientists at the Indiana University School of Medicine tried to explain why apathy is the first symptom of Alzheimer's disease. They suggest that with its early detection, it is possible to prevent or slow down the further progress of the disease, the article says.

The experts decided to study the attentional nucleus on animals, that is, the part of the brain that affects motivation and the reward system, during the period apathy.

They discovered that when parts of the nucleus were “attacked” by amyloid proteins, a previously unknown degenerative process was triggered. It is the accumulation of amyloid in the brain tissues that is often associated with a condition that precedes Alzheimer's disease.

Yes, the key to the degenerative process turned out to be certain receptors (CP-AMPAR), which are not normally found in this part of the brain, but they appear when synapses in the nucleus are exposed to the main toxic amyloid proteins.

Studies have shown that these receptors allow calcium to enter neurons and an overabundance of this substance leads to neuronal damage. It is this damage that causes apathy and problems with motivation, which can be signals of a sick brain and the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, scientists believe.

Experts have hypothesized that stopping this process in the adjacent nucleus may or may delay the progress of this variety dementia, or prevent it altogether.

“If we can delay pathological progression in one of the affected areas, such as the nucleus accumbens, it may delay pathological changes in other areas,” said study author Yao-Ying Ma.