In Pursuit of Memory: The Fight Against Alzheimers

Author: Joseph Jebelli

I have watched the toll that Alzheimers took on my Dad and can personally relate to a lot that is in this book. It is for this very reason that as soon as I read the review in the Wall Street Journal, I knew I had to check out this book. The author Joseph Jebelli watched his beloved grandfather suffer with alzheimers and  deteriorate right in front of his eyes. This motivated him to become a neuroscientist and study Alzheimer's. In this well written book he lays out for us all the things that he has learned about including the history of the disease, the common symptoms and the recent discoveries and theories about what causes alzheimer’s. 

It seems like alzheimers is much more prevalent now and I am wondering if it is simply because people are living longer. I knew that very little was known about this disease when my Dad suffered through it and I was pleasantly surprised to read about the progress that has been made over the last several years on this very important malaise that is likely to afflict many of us. 

Mr. Jebelli starts out by explaining how one of the well established pieces of evidence pointing to alzheimers is the accumulation of plaque around the brain. He explains how beta amyloid peptides ultimately result in the formation of this plaque. It is still not clear how these accumulate and there are various theories on whether it is the root cause or a side effect of alzheimer’s. The proponents of the theory that plaque is the root cause of Alzheimers are called BAPtists, where BAP=beta amyloid plaque.  Apolipoprotein E (APoE) is a class of proteins involved in the metabolism of fats in the body.  It is the principal cholesterol carrier in the brain and is essential for healthy metabolism of cholesterol and triglycerides. They bind lipids to form water soluble compounds that can be transported through our circulatory system. In humans APoE come in three common isoforms, APoE2, APoE3 and APoE4. The APoE4 gene is associated with an increased risk for Alzheimers, however there are several environmental factors that also play a part in activating this condition.

A more recent theory for Alzheimer’s is associated with the microtubule-associated protein tau. According to this theory, the accumulation of these tau proteins result in hyperpohsphorylated tangles that undergo a degeneration resulting in lesions.  The proponents of this theory are called Tau-ists. There is an active debate on whether the Tau-ists or the BAPtist theory is the root cause or one is a result of the other. More recently there are studies that are trying to find a common ground between the two camps. 

Mr. Jebelli highlights the many near successes that researchers have had in this field, but then reminds us that some things that work well in mice, don’t work quite as well in human beings. The chapter about taking a piece of someone’s skin, and using it to grow neurons in a Petri dish is surreal. He also has the story about Shinya Yamanaka’s persistence that made this technique possible. 

One interesting genetic twist that has recently been discovered is the inverse correlation of alzheimers and cancer genes. Simply put, people who get Alzheimer’s have a lower risk of getting cancer and people with cancer are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s. 

I recently read a book on the importance of sleep and how we are getting less and less of it these days with all the distractions from binge watching to checking Facebook on your cell-phone. There has been a strong correlation between lack of sleep and alzheimer’s and it is conceivable that people are getting less sleep in modern times. Finally, Dr. Jebelli writes that  there is a strong connection between our olfactory capabilities and Alzheimer’s. I do recall that my Dad lost his sense of smell way before he exhibited the first symptoms of Alzheimers. At the time, we thought it was because of the nasal drops that he used to routinely use. Now, I think differently.

I am sure many of the findings in this book will have to be revised in the next decade. But then again, your brain may not quite be the same in the next decade. So read this quickly, while you still can!