Statement regarding Science article on dementia research
On July 21, Science published an article detailing possible misconduct in some influential research on the potential cause of Alzheimer’s disease. These reports have raised questions about the overall nature of funding research on the causes of Alzheimer's disease.
The Amyloid Hypothesis
The Science article focused on a research study theorizing one of the possible causes of dementia to be from the amyloid-beta, or A-beta protein. In Alzheimer’s disease, amyloid-beta clumps together in between brain cells forming deposits called amyloid plaques. Amyloid-beta is thought to be harmful, and once amyloid plaques become large enough, they can block signals from being transferred between cells in the brain, ultimately causing brain cells to die, leading to cognitive decline.
The amyloid hypothesis assumes that it is amyloid plaques that are the primary cause of Alzheimer’s disease, however, there are no conclusive findings yet.
The allegations about the research work
The work in question in this article, suggests that a specific type of amyloid-beta protein called amyloid-beta*56 (amyloid-beta star 56) contributes to cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease. However, this article published in the journal Science questions the legitimacy of the work. The investigation reported in Science suggests the published images were edited, calling into question its role as a cause of Alzheimer’s disease.
Impact of these allegations
If the claims about the Amyloid-beta*56 data being altered are true, it represents a misuse of funding from the National Institute of Health. This may have also influenced researchers to continue to investigate this stream of research, rather than exploring other theories. Scientific integrity is crucial, and any potential diversion of money or time is a cause for concern.
However, it is important to note that other amyloid-beta proteins have also been researched and there is compelling evidence that amyloid-beta proteins are associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Additionally, research into amyloid-beta proteins is only one aspect of dementia research, and the amyloid hypothesis is one of many theories that aims to explain the cause of Alzheimer’s disease.
Other theories for the cause of Alzheimer’s disease
For many years, scientists have been testing out other hypotheses for Alzheimer's disease development such as tau protein, inflammation, acetylcholine, reelin and isoprenoid changes, along with amyloid beta, precisely because we don’t yet know for certain what exactly causes Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer Society Research Program
The Alzheimer Society of Canada, with financial support from provincial partners like the Alzheimer Society of B.C., has invested more than $67 million in grants and awards to fund innovative research on dementia-related issues. Before receiving funding, grant applications are rigorously reviewed by subject matter experts in a multi-stage process called peer review. Our standards are equal to those required by the Government of Canada’s research funding bodies to ensure our donors’ investments are used wisely.
In 2019, based on the needs identified by the dementia research community, the Alzheimer Society of Canada also developed a new funding initiative known as the Proof of Concept grant program. This program is designed specifically to support researchers in exploring innovative and lesser explored theories.
The only hope of a world without dementia is for greater efforts to promote research that could lead to a better understanding of the causes of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Care and quality of life for people living with dementia
While the research into the causes of dementia is ongoing, we also fund research beyond prevention and treatment, but also in the broader post-diagnosis care. We continue to advocate for a better quality of life for those who are already living with dementia and those who provide care. We continue to call on governments at all levels to invest more in research programs to help create a world without dementia.
The questions raised in the Science article are a serious concern and require deeper inquiry. The Alzheimer Society of B.C. will continue to monitor the latest research and developments in this case and others related dementia.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact research@alzheimerbc.org.
Highlights
- The journal Science recently published concerns regarding a series of research work investigating the role of a specific amyloid-beta protein (Amyloid-beta*56) in causing Alzheimer’s disease. The investigation alleges that the work in question has falsified data.
- Research into amyloid-beta proteins as the cause of Alzheimer’s disease is only one of many theories that aims to explain the cause of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Although we don’t currently know the cause of Alzheimer’s disease, there is evidence that amyloid-beta proteins are involved in the disease.
- The Alzheimer Society of B.C. will continue to monitor the latest research and developments in this case and others related dementia.
- The Alzheimer Society Research Program has invested more than $67 million in grants and awards to fund new and unexplored fields of dementia-related research. All the awarded research goes through rigorous review to ensure quality and accuracy. Much of our research also goes beyond treatment and prevention, but also addresses quality of life.