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Some evolutionary perspectives on Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis and pathology
Daniel J Glass1, Steven E Arnold
1Department of Psychology, State University of New York at New Paltz, USA.
Alzheimer'S & Dementia : the Journal of the Alzheimer'S Association
|December 6, 2011
Summary
Alzheimer's disease (AD) evolution is explored, questioning if hallmarks like amyloid-beta plaques are harmful or protective. This evolutionary perspective challenges current AD treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Medicine
- Neurodegenerative Diseases
- Genetics
Background:
- Growing aging populations increase urgency for Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatments.
- Fundamental mechanisms of AD dementia remain poorly understood, with limited insight into causal, compensatory, or epiphenomenal roles.
- Current AD therapeutic strategies are questioned due to gaps in understanding disease origins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine Alzheimer's disease (AD) from an evolutionary perspective, considering natural selection, adaptation, and genetic drift.
- To investigate the role of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) allele, particularly APOE ɛ4, in AD pathogenesis.
- To analyze AD-like changes across species and discuss implications for pathology and treatment from an evolutionary medicine viewpoint.
Main Methods:
- Review of evolutionary biology principles applied to neurodegeneration.
- Analysis of the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene's evolutionary history and its association with Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- Comparative analysis of AD-related pathologies across different species.
Main Results:
- The APOE ɛ4 allele, the ancestral form, is linked to AD risk, prompting re-evaluation of its role.
- Traditional AD pathologies, amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques and tau tangles, may represent protective or epiphenomenal processes rather than solely injurious ones.
- Evolutionary insights suggest current therapeutic targets may be misdirected.
Conclusions:
- Fundamental questions are raised about the efficacy of current Alzheimer's disease (AD) prevention and treatment strategies.
- An evolutionary medicine approach offers a novel framework for understanding and potentially treating AD.
- Re-evaluating the role of Aβ plaques and PHF-tau tangles as potentially adaptive or epiphenomenal is crucial for future research.
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