Alzheimer’s disease is primarily linked to the amyloid-beta protein. A groundbreaking study published in Nature Medicine revealed evidence that growth hormone treatment could potentially trigger Alzheimer’s disease in certain patients. This marks the first time that a specific medical treatment has been directly associated with the development of this debilitating illness. Previously, Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, was mainly thought to be caused by internal factors such as age, genetics, and lifestyle choices. However, this recent research indicates that in some cases, an external factor – cadaver-derived human growth hormone (c-hGH) – may play a significant role in its development. The study, carried out by researchers at University College London (UCL), focused on patients who had received c-hGH treatment decades ago. This form of growth hormone, which is no longer used due to safety concerns, has been found to elevate the levels of amyloid-beta protein in the brain. This protein is a distinctive feature of Alzheimer’s disease, and its accumulation is believed to harm brain cells and lead to cognitive decline.The lead author of the study, Professor John Collinge, Director of the UCL Institute of Prion Diseases and a consultant neurologist at UCLH, stated: “There is absolutely no indication that Alzheimer’s disease can be transmitted between individuals during everyday activities or routine medical care. The patients we have described received a particular and long-discontinued medical treatment that involved the injection of patients with material now known to have been contaminated with disease-related proteins.”However, the awareness of the transmission of amyloid-beta pathology in these rare circumstances should prompt us to reassess measures to prevent accidental transmission through other medical or surgical procedures in order to avert such instances in the future.””Crucially, our findings also imply that Alzheimer’s and some other neurological conditions have similar disease processes to CJD, and this could have significant implications for understanding and treating Alzheimer’s disease in the future.”While the study only identified a small number of patients who developed Alzheimer’s after receiving c-hGH, it raises significant concerns about the potential risks associated with certain medical treatments. Additional research is required to validate these findings and comprehend the precise mechanisms by which c-hGH might trigger Alzheimer’s.
