Alzheimer's proteins potentially transmissible via blood transfusions

Researchers are investigating whether Alzheimer's-related proteins, specifically amyloid-beta, could potentially be transmitted through medical procedures such as blood transfusions. A review published in The Lancet examines the hypothesis that these proteins might behave similarly to infectious pathogens.

Evidence cited includes a 2023 study from Denmark and Sweden involving over one million people. That study found that recipients of blood from donors who later developed cerebral hemorrhages faced a higher risk of similar brain bleeds years later. This is linked to cerebral amyloid angiopathy, a condition associated with amyloid-beta proteins.

While the presence of amyloid-beta ‘seeds’ in the blood is a biologically plausible explanation for these findings, experts emphasize that there is currently insufficient evidence to prove that blood transfusions are a common route of transmission or that the disease is contagious. Neurologists note that while the research is vital for ensuring transfusion safety, further studies are required to establish a causal relationship.