Description
Book Synopsis With the recent discovery that amyloid beta protein, the cause of plaques in Alzheimer''s disease, is an antimicrobial peptide produced in response to infection, many researchers are focusing on the role infection plays in the development of Alzheimer''s disease. Brain studies have also identified a number of different viruses, bacteria, fungi, and protozoa in the postmortem brain specimens of Alzheimer''s patients.
Infection (particularly chronic, latent and persistent infections) causes an immune response that leads to inflammation and brain cell degeneration, which are characteristic features of Alzheimer''s disease. Sources of infection in Alzheimer''s disease vary from childhood infections to gut microbes that find their way into the brain as a result of aging, leaky gut syndrome, and increased permeability of the blood brain barrier. Studies and ongoing clinical trials show that treatment of viral and bacterial infections, as well as restoring a healthy balance to
Trade Review
[Moore's] writing is informed by her knowledge of medical literature, but her accessible prose allows any interested patient or caregiver to understand recent advances in various topics. [She] starts with basic information about Alzheimer's disease, and includes accessible data on genetic and environmental risk factors implicated in research, but the focus is on infectious causes...excellent." —Library Journal
Table of Contents
- Table of Contents
- Acknowledgments vi
- Preface 1
- Introduction 3
- One—The Mystery of the Mind and Consciousness 7
- Two—Infection as a Primary Cause 32
- Three—Microorganisms and the Microbiome 48
- Four—The Immune System, Neurodegeneration and the Blood-Brain Barrier 71
- Five—Stages and Pathology of the Disease 86
- Six—Herpes Viruses 105
- Seven—Other Associated Viruses and the Prion Connection 119
- Eight—Bacterial Infections 130
- Nine—Fungal and Protozoan Infections 144
- Ten—Risk Factors 153
- Eleven—Genetic Influences 170
- Twelve—Risk Reduction and Therapies 184
- Bibliography 203
- Index 215
