Medics have found a more complex type of dementia

American scientists conducted a long study of Alzheimer's disease and identified a new form of dementia associated with the accumulation of four toxic proteins in the brain. In patients with the whole combination of neurodegenerative processes and symptoms developed faster than in people with fewer proteins. This article has been published in JAMA Neurology.

Alzheimer's disease is a common form of senile dementia. It is known to be accompanied by the formation of tau-protein plaques and beta-amyloid in the brain. These small clots interfere with normal cell function and eventually lead to death.

Scientists have recently discovered that 20% of cases are accompanied by the accumulation of another protein, TDP-43. This form of dementia has acquired the name of LATE (Limbic-Predominant Age-Related TDP-43 Encephalopathy).

In a new study conducted over 10 years, experts have identified another form of dementia, in which plaques are formed from four abnormal proteins at once. In addition to the above three found another amyloid - alpha-synuclein, which is usually associated with the development of a completely different neurodegenerative disease - Parkinson's disease. This syndrome was provisionally called “Quadruple Misfolded Proteins” (QMP).

In patients whose brains contained all four amyloids, the process of nerve tissue degeneration was faster, the symptoms were more rapid, and the disease was more severe.

Further, the scientists intend to find out how often this form of the disease and what exactly it can threaten patients.