Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30 | Sat 09:00 - 16:00 (GMT)
29 November 2013 10:29
Enjoying the holiday sunshine: Alzheimer's disease need not be a barrier to travel breaks
Regular head injuries have been linked to Alzheimer's disease, according to new research.
University of Cambridge scientists claim regular bangs could spark a process in the brain associated with the condition that causes dementia.
But Alzheimer's disease need not be a barrier to beneficial foreign travel. Sufferers or their family or carers can always find affordable holiday medical insurance relating to the illness by visiting World First.
Researchers used laser imaging to single out clumps of a protein called tau on the brains of sufferers.
They identified potential associations with neuronal harm such as that suffered in contact sports.
The results lend additional scientific detail to earlier studies which have indicated potential links between contact sports and a raised risk of developing Alzheimer's.
A knowledge of how the tau protein behaves and disperses between nerve cells may help to prompt fresh approaches for treatment, Dr Simon Ridley, head of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, suggests.
Tao is found in healthy brain cells. But bunches of malfunctioning tau stop brain cells from working successfully.
These are found in the brains of people who have died with Alzheimer's.
Scientists found that cells instantly started to ingest the protein when small amounts were added to the exterior of brain cells.
Healthy proteins started to not work properly as a result of the clumping, which in real life could be sparked by repeated head injuries during contact sports.
Dr. Ridley added: "It is unclear from this study whether head injury could trigger this molecular process, but it is a risk factor for dementia that needs to be investigated further."
The results are published in The Journal Of Biological Chemistry.
Alzheimer's disease is probably the best-known cause of dementia, accounting for about two-thirds of cases in older people, according to Alzheimer's Research UK. Over half a million people in the UK the condition.
11 August 2018
Hundreds of Ryanair flights will not take off as planned on Friday due to pilot strikes in five countries.
[more...]
10 August 2018
Fad diets that cut out carbs while increasing fat consumption could lead to an increased risk of diabetes, according to new research.
09 August 2018
HIV testing has become even more accessible after a self-testing kit was made available from a High Street retailer.
08 August 2018
Women patients are more likely to survive a heart attack if they are treated by a female doctor, a new US study has revealed.
07 August 2018
The head of British Airways has branded two-hour queues facing travellers at Heathrow's passport control as a "border farce."
04 August 2018
Simple factors such as gender and body mass can help doctors to personalise care for patients with type 2 diabetes and avoid harmful side effects, according to a study.
03 August 2018
Gatwick Express must no longer claim it runs "non-stop to Victoria station in half an hour" and "in just 30 minutes" unless it can achieve the time in most cases, a watchdog has ruled.
02 August 2018
A charity is calling for greater access to respite support after it emerged that 72% of Britain's 700,000 young carers feel lonely and isolated during the summer holidays.
01 August 2018
A plan to build new rail links with Heathrow Airport and connect Windsor's two train stations have been submitted to the Government.
31 July 2018
The head of International Airlines Group (IAG), the company that owns British Airways, is 'optimistic' about a legal challenge to end crippling strikes.
27 July 2018
UK holidaymakers heading on staycations this summer could be losing out on millions of pounds worth of savings by booking train tickets at the last minute, a study has revealed.
26 July 2018
Holidaymakers spreading sunscreen too thinly on their skin may be giving themselves less than half the protection needed, a new study has shown.