Could maintaining brain sugar levels combat Alzheimer's?

Researchers are now questioning whether maintaining a brain protein's sugar levels could be the key to slowing down or preventing the development of Alzheimer's disease following the release of a new study.

Scientists in Canada found that using an inhibitor, specifically developed for the test called Thiamet-G,a natural occurring enzyme that causes the sugar molecules of the Tau protein to deplete could be stopped.

Tau proteins are one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease and are often found in the brain regions responsible for memory and learning.

The proteins also stabilise structures in the brain called microtubes and allow information to be transmitted, Dr David Vocadlo, researcher on the study, explained.

Previous research conducted by Dr Vocadlo has shown that Tau proteins in the brain of a person with Alzheimer's have almost no sugar attached to them.

Consequently, finding a way to stimulate the production of sugar could be vital treating the symptoms of the condition.

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