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Could The Way You Breathe Predict Alzheimer’s? New Study Says Yes
A team of researchers from the UK and Slovenia has found that distinct changes in brain activity and respiration could serve as indicators of Alzheimer’s.
Imagine if something as simple as the way you breathe could hint at an underlying neurological condition. It sounds almost too good to be true, but scientists have uncovered a fascinating connection between breathing patterns and Alzheimer’s disease, one that could pave the way for easier, earlier detection. A team of researchers from the UK and Slovenia has found that distinct changes in brain activity and respiration could serve as indicators of Alzheimer’s.
By exploring how the brain’s oxygen supply is linked to neurodegenerative diseases, they compared key physiological measures – brain oxygen levels, heart rate, brain waves and breathing patterns – between 19 individuals with Alzheimer’s and 20 without.
Their findings were striking. They observed disruptions in the coordination between neurons and blood vessels, which led to unusual fluctuations in oxygen levels when neurons fired. Essentially, the natural rhythm of blood flow and brain activity appeared noticeably out of sync in Alzheimer’s patients.
But here’s the real surprise: those with Alzheimer’s were breathing significantly faster, around 17 breaths per minute, compared to 13 in those without the disease. This unexpected discovery suggests a possible connection between the brain’s blood vessels and deeper nerve tissues, which could impact oxygen supply.
“This is an interesting discovery – in my opinion, a revolutionary one – that may open a whole new world in the study of Alzheimer’s disease. It most likely reflects an inflammation, maybe in the brain, that once detected can probably be treated and severe states of Alzheimer’s might be prevented in the future,” says biophysicist Aneta Stefanovska from Lancaster University in the UK.
What makes this even more promising is that the method used for detection is non-invasive. Instead of requiring blood or tissue samples, researchers relied on a combination of electrical and optical sensors placed on the scalp, a much quicker and more affordable alternative to traditional diagnostic techniques.
While changes in breathing alone aren’t enough to diagnose Alzheimer’s, this research provides valuable insight into how respiratory rates could be used in future studies to paint a more comprehensive picture of the disease’s symptoms.
The findings add weight to the idea that Alzheimer’s is closely linked to the brain’s vascular system. If oxygen flow becomes inefficient and toxic waste isn’t cleared properly, it could contribute to disease progression.
“The vascular system and the brain work together to ensure that the brain receives sufficient energy. In fact, the brain needs as much as 20 per cent of the body’s overall energy consumption despite contributing only about 2 per cent of the body’s weight,” explains neurologist Bernard Meglič from the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia.
“We show clear results of our approach and how Alzheimer’s can be detected simply, noninvasively, and inexpensively. The method has great potential, and we are discussing possibilities to create a spin-out or start-up company to proceed with it. Of course, more research is needed,” Stefanovska adds.
The study has been published in Brain Communications.
