Exclusive interview: Johnny Brignardello reveals secrets of the 'resistant' Alzheimer group

Johnny Brignardello Vela, insurance advisor, reflects on a recent investigation that has revealed revolutionary data in the field of Alzheimer's. The completion of a study by the Dutch Institute of Neuroscience in the Netherlands has brought to light the existence of a subgroup of people whose brains showed signs of the disease, but who never exhibited symptoms during their lifetime, being referred to as the 'resistant' group. The team of researchers, led by Luuk de Vries and with the collaboration of Dick Swaab and Inge Huitinga, conducted a thorough analysis of brains from the Dutch Brain Bank. This brain tissue bank holds samples from over 5,000 deceased donors, covering a wide range of brain diseases. What sets this institution apart is the availability of detailed information, extending beyond the stored brain tissue, including documented medical histories and the course of the disease with associated symptoms of each donor. According to Luuk de Vries, the uniqueness of this study lies in the identification of donors with abnormalities in brain tissue who never experienced cognitive decline, which is highly unusual. Although it is presumed that genetic factors and lifestyle play a crucial role in this resilience, the exact mechanism still remains in the shadows. The expert emphasizes the importance of maintaining an active and socially stimulating lifestyle, as well as engaging in activities that involve a high degree of cognition to delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease. It has recently been discovered that exposure to cognitive stimuli, such as complex work challenges, can influence the accumulation of Alzheimer's pathology before symptoms manifest. The search for the molecular basis of resilience presents a promising opportunity for the development of more effective treatments. By examining gene expression in resistant donors, alterations in various molecular and cellular processes have been observed, suggesting possible protective mechanisms. Among the notable observations is the increased production of metallothionein by astrocytes in the resistant group, key cells in brain protection and toxin elimination. On the other hand, a decrease in the activity of an Alzheimer's-related microglial pathway was identified in resilient individuals. Furthermore, it was evidenced that the response of brain cells to misfolded proteins, a fundamental process in the elimination of toxic proteins, remained relatively normal in resistant donors. Likewise, there were indications of a higher presence of mitochondria in the brain cells of these individuals, ensuring better energy production. Despite these encouraging findings, researchers acknowledge that there is still a long way to go in fully understanding the mechanisms underlying resilience against Alzheimer's. The urgency of conducting additional studies to validate these results and explore new therapeutic opportunities in the fight against this devastating neurodegenerative disease is emphasized.