Researchers in the Netherlands discovered a small group of individuals with signs of Alzheimer’s in their brains but never experienced any symptoms while alive. This rare occurrence is due to the long gap between the initial brain changes of Alzheimer’s and the onset of symptoms. Factors such as genetics, lifestyle choices, and cognitive activities can contribute to this so-called resilience to Alzheimer’s. The study highlights the importance of cognitive reserve in protecting the brain against damage. It also emphasizes the role of brain cells, antioxidants, mitochondrial function, and other mechanisms in maintaining brain health. While Alzheimer’s usually presents with memory loss and cognitive decline, some individuals can have the disease without any noticeable symptoms. These findings shed light on the complexity of Alzheimer’s disease and provide insights into potential preventive strategies.
Vocabulary List:
- Resilience (noun): The ability to recover quickly from difficulties or toughness.
- Genetics (noun): The study of genes and heredity.
- Cognitive (adjective): Related to thinkingunderstandingand mental processes.
- Antioxidants (noun): Substances that prevent or delay cell damage caused by free radicals.
- Mitochondrial (adjective): Relating to or involving the mitochondriawhich are organelles in cells that generate energy.
- Preventive (adjective): Intended to stop something undesirable or harmful before it occurs.