Traumatic Brain Injury: How Stroke of Head Injury Increases Alzheimer's Risk

Researchers from the MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disorgers have found that the death of brain cells caused by a stroke or a head injury can result in the production of amyloid-beta protein. Amyloid-beta protein in the main component of the plaques seen in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease. "We have discovered how a stroke can trigger a series of biochemical events that increase amyloid-beta production in the brain. These findings raise the prospect of novel therapies that could interfere with this process and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease in stroke or head trauma patients," says Giuseppina Tesco, MD, PhD.

How Stroke of Head Injury Can Increase Risk of Alzheimer's Disease

Although it has been known for years that strokes and head injuries raise the risk of Alzheimer's disease, the reason for the increased risk was not known. Alzheimer's disease is characterized by plaques of amyloid-beta protein forming in the brain; these plaques are toxic to brain cells.