Alzheimer's link to epilepsy found

Published on Wednesday 18 March 2009 23:24

SCOTTISH scientists have discovered what could be causing Alzheimer's disease sufferers to go on to develop epilepsy.

An international team of researchers, led by scientists at Aberdeen University, have discovered that a protein in the brain accumulates in clumps in the brains of people suffering from dementia. And they believe the clumps of proteins are making nerve cells too sensitive. Overly sensitive nerve cells lose their ability to communicate coherently with other nerve cells, making Alzheimer's patients more susceptible to seizures.

Almost a third of Alzheimer's patients are thought to suffer from some degree of epilepsy. But until now a link has never been established.

Professor Tibor Harkany, the Aberdeen neurobiologist who led the research, said yesterday the findings could lead to changes in the drugs used to treat Alzheimer's disease.

He said the research team had discovered that the "beta-amyloid protein" – a key component of the plaques that clog the brain of an Alzheimer's patient – was causing cells to short-circuit and fire too many electrical signals.