Copper could lead to Alzheimer's disease, says new study

Exposure to copper over the course of a lifetime could be a cause of the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Scientists in the US have found that copper could be responsible for promoting changes within the brain, which could make the disease worse, if not cause it. This differs from previous research, which suggests copper may actually protect the brain.

The new research has suggested that the levels of copper individuals encounter throughout their lifetime, could eventually lead to the brain's inability to successfully clear toxin proteins away from the brain.

Unfortunately there seems little that can be done about the build up copper in the body as it is an essential element of humans' daily diet. It is an important factor in maintaining the immune system, nerves, bones and blood vessels as well as contributing towards the creation of red blood cells. Copper enters the body in a variety of ways, including through drinking water and certain foods.

The research, carried out by scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC), included cells from humans and mice. It found that copper is able to build-up in the brain and stop the body from being able to get rid of amyloid beta proteins. these proteins can eventually become plaques that are one of the causes of Alzheimer's disease.

Scientists gave mice trace amounts of copper over the course of three months and noted that this copper collected in the blood/brain barrier within the brain. This section of the brain is vital to the brain's defence mechanism and controls the substances that enter and are filtered out of the brain.

The copper eventually started to affect the protein LRP1, which removes amyloid beta, as oxidation meant that the copper collected in cell walls. This occurred in both mice and human brain cells.

Eventually, the build-up of the copper also encouraged the amyloid beta proteins to clump inside the brain cells. This meant that it was unable to be removed from the brain and eventually became plaque, which has been strongly linked to Alzheimer's disease.