Health. Five people apparently “caught” Alzheimer’s after medical treatment.

Alzheimer’s disease results from the aggregation of two molecules: proteins Beta–amyloid In the brain, where they form plaques and tau protein, in an abnormal form, inside neurons.

If the origin of the phenomenon is still unclear, certain elements such as heredity or age are widely highlighted.

What if receiving certain treatments years ago is another risk factor?

In an article published in the journal Nature MedicineResearchers at University College London describe five cases of patients aged 38 to 55 who developed the disease. When nothing predestined them for it.

Suspected growth hormone treatment

Typically, they were treated during childhood with a type of human growth hormone extracted from the pituitary glands of deceased individuals (Vs–hGH). ” It was used to treat at least 1,848 short people in the UK between 1959 and 1985. », explain the authors.

About 2,000 people affected

” It was withdrawn in 1985 when it was recognized that some batches were contaminated with prions (infectious proteins) that caused Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in some people.. »

Additionally, the same researchers previously reported that some Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease patients also had premature deposits of beta-amyloid protein in their brains after treatment with growth hormones.

” It is important to emphasize that the circumstances under which we believe these people tragically developed Alzheimer’s disease are very unusual and involve very specific, long-abandoned medical treatments.

», reassure the authors. ” There is no risk of spreading the disease between individuals or during routine medical care. »