It could be a hidden symptom of Alzheimer's disease

Scientists from the UK and Slovenia have explored the potential of analysing brain oxygenation and breathing patterns to detect Alzheimer's in a new study. The findings suggest that impaired brain-blood flow coordination and increased respiratory rates may be early warning signs.

Experts reported that these findings have the potential to change Alzheimer's detection methods and offer a promising path for early intervention and treatment.

The team compared the brain oxygenation, heart rate, brain waves and respiratory efforts of 19 Alzheimer's patients with those of 20 people without Alzheimer's. The team observed that oxygen levels in the blood vessels of the Alzheimer's patients' brains fluctuated and brain activity was disrupted.

It was also found that Alzheimer's patients had a higher respiratory rate compared to other individuals.

Lancaster University biophysicist Aneta Stefanovska said the discovery was revolutionary and opened the door to a new era in the study of Alzheimer's. Stefanovska said these findings could reflect signs of inflammation in the brain and that such detection could enable treatment.

Neurologist Bernard Meglic from the University of Ljubljana stated that Alzheimer's disease occurs due to deterioration in the vascular system of the brain. Meglic reported that this deterioration affects the brain's oxygen flow and the cleaning of toxic substances, leading to the development of the disease.