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Fungal infection in patients with Alzheimer's disease

Ruth Alonso1, Diana Pisa1, Ana Isabel Marina1

  • 1Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa CSIC-UAM, C/ Nicolás Cabrera, 1 Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, Madrid, Spain.

Journal of Alzheimer'S Disease : JAD
|March 12, 2014
PubMed

Insights

This study found fungal proteins and DNA in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains, suggesting a potential fungal infection link to AD. Further research is needed to explore if fungi are a risk factor or cause of this neurodegenerative disease.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Mycology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder causing dementia, characterized by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles.
  • Current understanding of AD etiology is incomplete, with research exploring various contributing factors beyond genetics and aging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and detectability of fungal infection in brain samples from Alzheimer's disease patients.
  • To identify fungal species and macromolecules within the brain tissue of individuals with AD.

Main Methods:

  • Proteomic analysis was employed to detect fungal proteins in AD brain samples.
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing were used to identify fungal species present in the brain tissue.

Main Results:

  • Compelling evidence of fungal proteins was found in brain samples from Alzheimer's disease patients.
  • PCR and DNA sequencing identified a variety of fungal species in the brain samples, with variations depending on the patient and tissue.
  • Fungal macromolecules were demonstrably detected in brain tissue from AD patients.

Conclusions:

  • These findings represent the first evidence of detectable fungal infection in brain samples from Alzheimer's disease patients.
  • The study discusses the potential role of fungal infection as a risk factor or contributing etiological cause of Alzheimer's disease.
Keywords:
Alzheimer's diseasebrain proteomicsfungal DNAfungal PCRfungal infection

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