Review Article
Hyperphosphorylation of Tau Protein in Down's Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease: Methylation and Implications in Prevention and Therapy
Trent W Nichols*
Neuro gastroenterology, CNDD Hanover PA 17331, USA
- Corresponding Author:
- Trent W. Nichols Jr.
Neurogastroenterology, CNDD 721 Ash Dr. Hanover PA 17331 717-6335540
fax 717-632-0300 Current address 510 Butler Ave, Veterans Administration Hospital
Martinsburg WV 25405
E-mail: twnicholPA@comcast.net
Received date: August 01, 2014; Accepted date: October 01, 2014; Published date: October 06, 2014
Citation: Nichols TW (2014) Hyperphosphorylation of Tau Protein in Down’s Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease: Methylation and Implications in Prevention and Therapy. J Alzheimers Dis Parkinsonism 4:159. doi: 10.4172/2161-0460.1000159
Copyright: © 2014 Head E, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Abstract
The changes of insulin signaling, calcium signaling, mitochondrial decline and oxidative stress have been implicated in the hyperphosphorylation of tau protein found in Downs syndrome dementia. Such pathogenic etiologies have clear implications in the prevention and therapy of Down’s syndrome (DS) dementia. The occurrence of methylation defects in DS is discussed and though controversial, more recent studies do show significance. Kinases such as DYK1A and GlcNA cylation are discussed as well as a Cdk5 inhibitory peptide (CIP). Even sleep medicine has been demonstrated in that seniors, who have better sleep, suffer less cognitive decline than those with sleep problems with enhanced clearance of β amyloid and tau neurofibrillary tangles. Studies have reported a high incidence of sleep problems in Down’s. Environmental toxin arsenite and low dose methyl mercury have been speculated to induce tau phosphorylation. Dietary changes to low glycemic carbohydrate and gluten avoidance should be made. Adding B vitamins may be equally important to prevent brain atrophy especially in those with MTHFR and MTRR gene defects. The therapeutic strategy of reducing insulin resistance by up regulation of PPARS alpha with glitazones and decreasing calcium influx into the mitochondria is mentioned. Protecting mitochondrial decline from oxidative stress with antioxidants, and treatment with CBD, polyphenols, ellagic acid, resveratrol and other grape bioflavinoids and moderate magnetic fields is discussed