The question is whether these proteins and physiological processes play a critical role in initiating the disease or whether they are increased as a result of the disease. I am also involved in a clinical-pathological study of circadian rhythms in Alzheimer patients.
Sleep disturbances are extremely common in AD patients.
We are examining brain tissue from Alzheimer patients who were studied extensively during life to determine if changes occur in brain areas that are thought to be critical in initiating circadian behaviors. Improvements in biotechnology and medicine are allowing people to live longer, healthier lives. As human longevity increases, so does the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease. By understanding the changes caused by Alzheimer's disease we hope that new treatments can be developed for this disorder.