Fat May Increase Risk of Alzheimer's Disease

A study reported in a recent issue of the Journal of Lipid Researchfound that triglycerides, a compound found in dietary fat, can increase the amount of beta-amyloid inside cells. Beta-amyloid is believed to be the primary cause of Alzheimer's disease. Neil S. Shachter, MD, of Columbia University found that these triglycerides increase the amount of presenilin, which in turn increases the amount of beta-amyloid in cells. Dr. Shachter hopes that these recent findings will lead to effective treatments to rid excess presenilin completely by decreasing fat delivery. Researchers worldwide are working to develop drugs that will limit the production of presenilin.