Human brain may be able to compensate for some of early changes seen in Alzheimer's disease

New research has shown that older adults with build-up of a hallmark Alzheimer’s protein have increased brain activity while performing memory tasks. The US study suggests that the brain adapts to compensate for early damage caused by this protein.

The study, which was led by researchers at the University of California, involved 71 adults with no signs of mental decline. Brain scans showed 16 of the older subjects had amyloid deposits - tangles of protein that are considered a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease.

All those taking part in the study were asked to memorise a series of pictures in detail while scanners were used to track their brain activity. They were then asked to recall the gist and later the detail of all the pictures they had seen.

All participants performed equally well but those with tangles of amyloid in their brains showed more brain activity when remembering the images in detail.

Scientists say this suggests their brains have an ability to adapt to and compensate for any early damage caused by the protein.

Dr Laura Phipps, at the charity Alzheimer's Research UK, said: “This small study suggests that our brains may have ways of resisting early damage from these Alzheimer’s proteins, but more research is needed to know how to interpret these results.

“Amyloid build-up occurs early in Alzheimer’s, many years before symptoms such as memory loss appear, and it would be useful to know whether the people in this study developed symptoms later on. Longer term studies are needed to confirm whether the extra brain activity seen in this research is a sign of the brain compensating for early damage, and if so, how long the brain might be able to fight this damage.

“An understanding of the early changes in the brain as Alzheimer’s develops could help scientists find ways to stop the disease, but investment in research is crucial. With half a million people in the UK currently living with Alzheimer’s and that number set to grow, we urgently need ways to prevent and treat the disease.”

The study is published in the journal Nature Neuroscience.