One hundred years after its discovery, Alzheimer's disease still reveals secrets to us.
Characterized by a slow degeneration of neurons, this pathology is caused by the accumulation of beta-amyloid and tau proteins in the brain of patients.
It generally occurs with age under the influence of a complex combination of genetic and environmental factors (diet, smoking, cardiovascular risks, brain trauma, etc.).
Until now, we have had no evidence that this form of dementia can be transmitted other than through genes.
However, in a study published in
Nature Medicine
, English researchers report eight cases contracted after taking growth hormone treatment.
This would be the first evidence that Alzheimer's disease can be transmissible in certain very specific cases.
Also read: Growth hormone: the trial of a health scandal
The eight patients, all from the United Kingdom, had all been treated as children with human growth hormones…
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