Pranav Kalidindi

The Effect of Stress on Alzheimer's Progression

Started May 11, 2023

Abstract or project description

Chronic stress has been found as a substantial contributor to these Alzheimer's patients' cognitive deterioration. The effects of stress on hippocampus function and dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis lead to higher cortisol levels and show the link between stress and memory dysregulations. Moreover, acute and chronic stress has been linked to increased production of the amyloid-β plaques and tau tangles, which are the primary pathological hallmark of Alzheimer’s Disease. As a result, the cellular mechanisms of memory consolidation and storage are disrupted. In this paper, I review the various ongoing research that show how cellular, network and endocrine pathways in the brain get impeded by stress, thereby affecting the neurodegeneration process of Alzheimer’s Disease patients. Understanding the interplay between stress and the progression of Alzheimer’s can play a significant role in further development of cures and research.