Alzheimer’s Society research hits the news

A potential link between snoring and Alzheimer's disease captured the imagination of both journalists and the public, helping to raise the Society's research profile.

The link emerged as University of Leeds scientists released a study into the impact of levels of oxygen to the brain. The team were investigating how stroke victims could be more vulnerable to Alzheimer's disease - years or even decades after making a full recovery.

It has been known for some time that strokes and Alzheimer's disease are linked, but the Leeds team has shown how an incident of reduced oxygen to the brain - caused by the stroke - can leave the patient vulnerable to the gradual build-up of toxic chemicals which can cause Alzheimer's disease.

Professor Chris Peers, lead researcher says,

'Our research is looking into what happens when oxygen levels in the brain are reduced by a number of factors, from long-term conditions to sudden incidents such as a heart attack, stroke or even head trauma. Even though the patient may outwardly recover, the hidden cell damage may be irreversible.

It could even be an issue for people who snore heavily, whose sleep patterns are such that there will be times in the night when their brain is deprived of sufficient oxygen.'

The research centred on the damage done by low-oxygen incidents to a group of brain cells called astrocytes. When the brain is functioning normally, it makes connections through the release of tiny amounts of chemical across the synapses. Once the chemical has been transmitted, it is "mopped up" by the astrocytes.

Dr Susanne Sorensen, head of research at the Alzheimer's Society, says,

'The team examined the role of cells that support neurones in the brain. This is exciting because rather than focussing on neurones they looked at processes in the brain, which until now have not be researched in so much detail.'