What is it?

• Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks.
• Alzheimer’s disease is thought to be caused by the abnormal build-up of proteins in and around brain cells.
• One main feature of the disease is the deposition of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain.
• Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia among older adults.
  • Dementia is a group of brain disorders that cause the loss of intellectual and social skills.
• The World Alzheimer Report 2015 which was an analysis of the prevalence, incidence, cost and trends in Alzheimer’s Disease documented the fact that in 2015, over 46 million people worldwide were living with dementia. The report estimated that this number would increase to more than 131.5 million by 2050. 

Why in News?

• Researchers from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru, have developed a small molecule that helps disrupt and reduce formation of amyloid plaques in the brains of mice with Alzheimer’s disease.

Reference:

1. https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/jncasr-team-develops-potential-drug-candidate-for-alzheimers/article34007349.ece