🧪 Science & Health

🧠 New Hope in Alzheimer’s Research – Bridging Modern Science and Ayurveda

Recent breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s disease research are offering renewed hope for more effective treatments.
A team led by Professor Anirban Bhunia at the Bose Institute has explored novel strategies targeting amyloid proteins, which are central to Alzheimer’s pathology.

🧬 Role of Amyloid Proteins

• In Alzheimer’s disease, amyloid proteins aggregate in the brain to form plaques.
• These toxic build-ups trigger neuronal death, leading to:
  • Cognitive decline
  • Memory loss
  • Disruption of daily functions

These are the hallmarks of this devastating neurodegenerative disorder.

🔬 Innovative Treatment Strategies

Professor Bhunia’s team pursued a dual approach:

1. Chemically synthesised peptides to inhibit amyloid beta aggregation
2. Repurposing of Lasunadya Ghrita (LG), a traditional Ayurvedic medicine, to prevent amyloid plaque formation

Both strategies aim to disrupt the progression of Alzheimer’s at the molecular level.

🌿 Lasunadya Ghrita (LG) – An Ayurvedic Ally

• LG is a classical Ayurvedic formulation, historically used to treat mental disorders.
• This study identified non-toxic compounds in LG that:
  • Disrupt amyloid fibrillation
  • Inhibit toxic oligomer formation
• Results showed LG to be as effective, or even more so, than synthetic peptides in targeting amyloid proteins.

📊 Research Findings

• The study, published in Biochemistry, showed:
  • Designed peptides were effective and safe
  • Ayurvedic compounds enhanced amyloid breakdown
• The research was interdisciplinary, merging modern biochemistry with ancient medical wisdom.

🧠 Symptoms and Disease Progression

• Early signs include:
  • Memory lapses
  • Trouble recalling recent events
• As Alzheimer’s advances:
  • Patients may forget familiar faces
  • Experience confusion, aggression, and depression
  • Lose the ability to perform everyday tasks

🎨 Preserved Skills – Glimmers of the Self

Despite severe cognitive decline, some abilities remain intact:

• Singing familiar songs
• Storytelling
• Craftwork or drawing
• Reading aloud

These “preserved skills” are often governed by less-affected brain regions, offering moments of connection and comfort.

🔮 Future Directions

• This research paves the way for integrative treatment approaches:
  • Combining scientific innovation with Ayurvedic knowledge
  • Improving quality of life for those with Alzheimer’s
• It also signals a shift in Alzheimer’s care—towards natural, holistic solutions backed by science.

🕯️ When science listens to tradition, healing becomes deeper than medicine.