Could Alzheimer's Brain Plaques Actually Start in the Liver?

Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have shared some surprising new findings - they believe it's possible that the brain plaques commonly associated with Alzheimer's disease might actually originate in the liver.

The researchers used mouse models for Alzheimer's disease to evaluate the effect of three different genes on the presence of amyloid-beta plaques in the brain. They discovered that lower gene activity in the liver was associated with greater protection in the brain. Of the three genes, one (Presenilin2) is associated with both greater production of amyloid-beta plaques in the liver and early-onset Alzheimer's disease.

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