Elevated levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in plasma reflect neuroinflammation and are linked to cognitive decline. Preclinical studies show that dietary change can attenuate astrocyte reactivity and neuroinflammation. In the current study, we investigate if the Okinawa-based Nordic (O-BN) diet alters plasma GFAP levels in patients with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D), a metabolic disorder associated with cognitive disturbances and an increased risk of dementia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe majority of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) exhibit aggregates of Trans-active response DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) in their hippocampus, which is associated with a more aggressive disease progression. The TDP-43 inclusions are commonly found in neurons, but also in astrocytes. The impact of the inclusions in astrocytes is less known.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPancreas-derived islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) aggregates and deposits in the pancreas and periphery of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) patients, contributing to diabetic complications. The excess IAPP can be removed by autoantibodies, and increased levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) G against IAPP have been reported in T2D patients. However, whether other Ig classes are also affected and if the levels can be managed is less known.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Amyloid beta (Aβ) deposits and hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau) accumulation have been identified in the retina of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and transgenic AD mice. Previous studies have shown that retinal microglia engulf Aβ, but this property decreases in AD patients. Whether retinal microglia also take up p-tau and if this event is affected in AD is yet not described.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPancreas-derived islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) crosses the blood-brain barrier and co-deposits with amyloid beta (Aβ) in brains of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Depositions might be related to the circulating IAPP levels, but it warrants further investigation. Autoantibodies recognizing toxic IAPP oligomers (IAPP) but not monomers (IAPP) or fibrils have been found in T2D, but studies on AD are lacking.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), a pancreas-produced peptide, has beneficial functions in its monomeric form. However, IAPP aggregates, related to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), are toxic not only for the pancreas, but also for the brain. In the latter, IAPP is often found in vessels, where it is highly toxic for pericytes, mural cells that have contractile properties and regulate capillary blood flow.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is foremost characterized by β-amyloid (Aβ)-extracellular plaques, tau-intraneuronal fibrillary tangles (NFT), and neuroinflammation, but over the last years it has become evident that peripheral inflammation might also contribute to the disease. AD patients often demonstrate increased levels of circulating proinflammatory mediators and altered antibody levels in the blood. In our study, we investigated the plasma Immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels in association with apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 status and Aβ pathology.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF