This report should be supported by the pathogenic confirmation of Alzheimer’s disease, but it is still a very attractive observation for the Alzheimer’s field. Currently, it is popular to clarify the pathogenic mechanisms that induce MCI or early Alzheimer’s dementia, and this paper has opened a new window on MCI. It is well known that hypoxia generates oxygen radicals, which have harmful effects on neuronal function. Hypoxia has recently been linked to MCI and dementia.

We recently found that homocysteic acid (HA) is a possible risk factor for AD, and that it may be linked to hypoxia (1).

We observed that cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) can produce HA via homocysteine and oxygen radicals, and that HA might affect the hippocampus to cause memory impairment in transgenic mice (2). That the same might happen in humans may be tested by the detection of blood HA in MCI patients. We are working on this now.

Finally, older women who suffer from sleep hypoxia may benefit from antioxidants, which suppress oxygen radicals.

References:
1. Hasegawa, T. Ichiba, M. and Tabira, T: ICAD 2011, Paris, p3-153.

2. Hasegawa T, Mikoda N, Kitazawa M, LaFerla FM (2010) Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease with Anti-Homocysteic Acid Antibody in 3xTg-AD Male Mice. PLoS ONE 5(1): e8593. Abstract

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