Alzheimer's disease causes cells to overheat and “fry like eggs.”

Employees at the University of Cambridge used sensors that were small in size, but sufficiently

sensitive to detect temperature changes within individual cells. It turns out that when amyloid beta folds incorrectly and clumps together, it causes cells to overheat.

In an experiment using cell linesIn humans, researchers have discovered that the heat generated when beta-amyloid aggregates can potentially cause other, healthy beta-amyloids to aggregate, causing more and more aggregates to form.

In the same series of experiments, researchers alsoshowed that beta-amyloid aggregation can be stopped and cell temperature reduced by adding a drug compound. The experiments also suggest that the compound has potential as a therapeutic for Alzheimer's disease, although extensive and clinical trials will be required first.

Mammalian cells stained with fluorescent polymer thermometers and falsely stained due to temperature gradients. Credit: Chi Wei Chang

The researchers say their analysis maybe used as a diagnostic tool for Alzheimer's disease or for screening potential drugs. The results were published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

Alzheimer's disease affects approximatelyThere are 44 million people worldwide, and there are currently no effective diagnostic or treatment methods. In Alzheimer's disease, amyloid beta and another protein known as tau form tangles and plaques, causing brain cells to die and shrink in size. This results in memory loss, personality changes, and difficulty performing daily functions.

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