Research connects vascular, mental health

Aug. 08--Cerebrovascular pathologies may contribute to dementia symptoms common with Alzheimer's disease.

That's according to a Lexington-based researcher who presented her findings at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference in Toronto late last month.

Donna Wilcock, a clinical researcher at the University of Kentucky's Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, has been studying the vascular contribution to the chronic neurodegenerative disease for 17 years. She says changes in the flow of blood to and from the brain can have a significant impact on how an Alzheimer's patient reacts to the disease.

"We now understand that a lot of individuals with Alzheimer's disease really don't just have Alzheimer's disease," she said. "Changes that are occurring in the brain may be accompanied by other changes that are affecting symptoms."

Wilcock's research draws a link between cardiovascular health and the severity of dementia. People who have suffered from strokes or transient ischemic attacks (silent strokes) likely experience prolonged or delayed symptoms in addition to dementia, she said.

Scientists don't have a definitive answer to what exactly causes Alzheimer's, but most believe it has to do with a buildup of protein clusters between nerve cells that block cell-to-cell signaling synapses and protein fibers that disrupt the brain's transport process. Although to some degree, these cell characteristics occur in all healthy brains, those with Alzheimer's suffer from an abnormally high number that can ultimately result in the breakdown of healthy cells.

Wilcock is currently developing a translational research program examining neuroinflammatory proteins and nonprotein amino acids as modifiable biomarkers of cognitive impairment. Her research could be critical in breaking down individual pathologies in an Alzheimer's patient and treating specific symptoms.

"There's a lot of research on the different causes of dementia," she said. "Unfortunately, there is not going to be a magic bullet cure. It's going to be much more focused on individual persons and individual symptoms -- personalized medicine."

UK's Sanders-Brown facility operates Kentucky's only nationally funded Alzheimer's research center. Wilcock pointed to a recent influx in federal funding for successes in Alzheimer's research. She said more funding is needed to find a cure. She serves on the Alzheimer's Association Greater Kentucky & Southern Indiana Chapter board. Later this month, she will join another local researcher in an "Ask the Expert" event in Owensboro, where she will discuss her research and local services that are available to the community.

More information on the Aug. 30 event is available by calling the Alzheimer's Association chapter at 502-451-4266.

Austin Ramsey, 270-691-7302, aramsey@messenger-inquirer.com, Twitter: @austinrramsey

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