Australian scientists revealed that chronic stress can lead to Alzheimer’s disease. The results of the study were published in the BioLogical Reviews magazine, writes Health Europa.
Specialists from the Institute of Medical Innovation University of Curtin considered the key environmental and genetic factors that can influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis), regulating the production of cortisol hormone during stress.
HPA axis – Home Neuroendocrine system, which regulates many processes in the body, including digestion, immune system, mood and emotion, sexuality, storage and energy consumption, and manages stress reactions.
In patients with Alzheimer’s disease often noted a failure of this system and, as a result, an increased level of cortisol.
According to the authors, the genetic stress factors within the HPA axis and other paths can affect the work of the immune brain system. When disorders are regular, for example, in the case of chronic stress, it increases the risk of dementia and contributes to the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
Researchers described mechanisms with which genetic factors of chronic stress affect the HPA axis, causing inflammation in the brain – the main cause of neurodegeneration. According to scientists, genetic factors change the immune response of brain cells and microglia, which contributes to the emergence of a neurotoxic medium.
Scientists are confident that their discovery will contribute to the development of new recommendations on the reception of glucocorticoids to manage stress based on individual characteristics of patients. This will eventually help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.