Researchers Just Answered An Important Question About Alzheimer's

Alzheimer’s is a debilitating disease that affects an estimated 5.3 million Americans.

But beyond its widespread reach, there's not much we know for sure about the brain disorder. Its cause and progression have yet to be conclusively explained, and scientists can't figure out why it's so much more common in older populations. (More than 90% of cases occur in people 60 or over.)

Amidst all the questions surrounding Alzheimer’s, researchers at the University of California just uncovered an important answer. After compiling data from previous studies, they've located the brain region where the disease first strikes: the locus coeruleus (LC).

The LC is a small, vulnerable section of the brain that releases neurotransmitters responsible for regulating heart rate, attention, memory and cognition. Its location at the base of the brainstem makes it highly susceptible to toxins and infection.

The new study found that the LC can exhibit tau pathology — a well-known marker for Alzheimer’s — before symptoms flare up.

The research out of USC found that neurotransmitters the LC releases during mentally challenging situations (think: a difficult math equation or a bit project at work) can make it more resilient. This would explain why some studies found those with high education levels and stimulating careers to be less likely to contract Alzheimer’s.

“Education and engaging careers produce late-life ‘cognitive reserve,’” says Mara Mather, the study's co-author.