New study says controlling this factor early could help halt the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and improve its symptoms.
A new study from UVA Health reveals fascinating insights into Alzheimer’s disease, pointing to enhanced light sensitivity as a potential trigger for the troubling “sundowning” phenomenon experienced by patients later in the day.
The research also sheds light on the role of sleep disruptions in the progression of the disease.
Published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, the study holds promising implications for treatment development and symptom management. Caregivers often struggle to cope with the altered “circadian rhythms” in Alzheimer’s patients, but the study proposes that light therapy could be a powerful tool in managing these erratic sleep patterns.
“Circadian disruptions have been recognized in Alzheimer’s disease for a long time,” remarks Lead researcher Thaddeus Weigel, alongside Dr. Heather Ferris of the University of Virginia School of Medicine’s Division of Endocrinology.
“This research points to changes in light sensitivity as a new, interesting possible explanation for some of those circadian symptoms.”
Alzheimer’s, the most prevalent form of dementia worldwide, affects approximately 50 million people. Memory loss is its hallmark, but symptoms such as restlessness, aggression, poor judgment, and incessant searching can worsen, particularly during the evening and night.
To better understand Alzheimer’s impact on the biological clock, Ferris and her team employed a mouse model of the disease. By inducing “jet lag” through altered light exposure, they observed the mice’s behavioral changes. Strikingly, Alzheimer’s mice adapted to the time change far quicker than regular mice, suggesting heightened light sensitivity.
Initially, the team considered neuroinflammation as a potential cause, investigating immune cells called microglia, which have shown promise in Alzheimer’s treatment. However, the hypothesis was ruled out, as microglia did not influence the adaptation speed.
Similarly, they discarded the notion that “mutant tau,” an abnormal protein forming tangles in the Alzheimer’s brain, played a role in the rapid adjustment.
Interestingly, the results indicated the retina’s critical role in enhanced light sensitivity in Alzheimer’s, providing a promising avenue for future developments in disease treatment, management, and prevention.
Ferris commented on the findings, “These data suggest that controlling the kind of light and the timing of the light could be key to reducing circadian disruptions in Alzheimer’s disease.”
They “hope that this research will help us to develop light therapies that people can use to reduce the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.”
This pioneering research sets the stage for future advancements, offering hope in understanding and combatting Alzheimer’s disease through a deeper understanding of its effects on the biological clock.
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