Team to investigate link between nanoparticles and Alzheimer's
Friday 28th August 2009
A team of biomedical scientists in Ireland is to investigate a possible link between certain man-made nanoparticles and Alzheimer's.
Led by pathologist and toxicologist Professor Vyvyan Howard and Dr Christian Holscher, an expert in Alzheimer's disease, the researchers are based at the University of Ulster.
Among the products that the nanoparticles are present in sunscreens.
Professor Howard said: "The overall science and technology objective of this programme is to determine if engineered nanoparticles could constitute a significant neuro-toxicological risk to humans for two diseases - Alzheimer's and Parkinson's."
She added that it has recently been discovered that nanoparticles can have "significant" impacts on the rate of the misfolding of key proteins, which are associated with conditions such as Alzheimer's.
The most common form of dementia, Alzheimer's describes the loss of mental abilities such as reasoning and memory.
It is a progressive condition, meaning it gets worse as it develops in its sufferers.
Written by Megan Smith
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