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Alzheimer\'s disease is the most predominant neurodegenerative disorder of our time, and is an imminent health crisis in countries like the United States, where 15 million people are expected to suffer from the disease by 2050.\\xa0 Alzheimer\'s disease is an age-related disorder that causes brain shrinkage, memory loss, and eventually, death.\\xa0

This week we discuss major paradigm shifts in Alzheimer\'s disease research.\\xa0 For decades, Alzheimer\'s disease researchers have argued over what causes the disease.\\xa0 Some suspected clumps of tau protein to be the main culprit in Alzheimer\'s, while others maligned amyloid beta as the villain.\\xa0 Now, the field is largely united under the amyloid cascade hypothesis, but new evidence suggests that amyloid beta serves important immune functions.\\xa0 This revelation that amyloid beta is protective is upturning Alzheimer\'s disease research as we know it, and brings new relevance to recent discoveries into the links between traumatic brain injury and the microbiome as they relate to Alzheimer\'s.

Connor Wander and Maya Gosztyla sit down to discuss new developments in the field, and what recent Alzheimer\'s disease discoveries mean to patients, clinicians, and the public alike.\\xa0 We also discuss practical strategies to delay Alzheimer\'s disease onset that we find effective or particularly promising.\\xa0 All based on the research, of course!

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Maya operates and writes for an Alzheimer\'s Disease education blog called AlzScience.\\xa0 The AlzScience blog breaks down Alzheimer\'s disease concepts in simple terms, with great graphic illustrations and links for further reading.\\xa0 It\'s a terrific place to start learning about Alzheimer\'s or other neurodegenerative diseases.

For even further reading, I also recommend Alzforum.\\xa0 Alzforum is a highly technical resource for Alzheimers disease scientists and anyone looking to keep up with the latest research.\\xa0 Alzforum isn\'t all about Alzheimer\'s either- they keep tabs on all neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson\'s Disease, and other forms of dementia.\\xa0

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Don\'t forget to check out Maya\'s introductory interview (Episode 11) or Connor\'s introductory podcasts (Episodes 2 and 5)!

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Show notes

We mentioned several key studies\\xa0 in the podcast, which are listed below.\\xa0

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Keep an eye out for Maya\'s review on amyloid beta\'s protective immune functions!

Brush up with a great AlzScience post on general Alzheimer\'s Disease

Or check out a more detailed post about pericytes, one of the gatekeeper cells to the brain

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Further Reading

Here\'s Dr. George Bloom\'s review titled Amyloid-\\u03b2 and Tau: The Trigger and Bullet In Alzheimer\'s Disease Pathogenesis

Here\'s the landmark paper that showed Amyloid beta particles clumping on brain infections

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Here\'s the recent amyloid beta blood test study we mentioned.

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Here\'s a great review in print about the crosstalk between Neurons and Microglia in AD!

Here\'s a study on the MEND protocol- lifestyle changes that improve cognitive function.

If we missed anything, or you\'d like more information, feel free to contact SFS, or Maya at @sfromascientist and @AlzScience, respectively.

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Any other questions?\\xa0\\xa0Let us know!\\xa0 We appreciate your feedback.

You can now support the podcast at\\xa0https://www.patreon.com/sfspodcast.\\xa0 Many thanks to our past and present supporters!\\xa0

Thanks to\\xa0Plant Warrior\\xa0for their support.\\xa0 Use discount code SFS10 at checkout for 10% off your purchase of plant-based protein.