First Documented Transmission of Alzheimer's Disease from Cadaveric Pituitary Tissue: A Significant Breakthrough in Alzheimer's Research

Historically, the medical field has witnessed an array of groundbreaking discoveries that have provided deeper insights into the human body and the diseases that affect it. Recently, a significant development has emerged in the field of Alzheimer's research and medical history. For the first time, the transmission of Alzheimer's disease from cadaveric pituitary tissue for growth hormone has been documented.

Unearthing the Historical Use of Cadaveric Pituitary Tissue

The procedures involving the use of cadaveric pituitary tissue for growth hormone are no longer in practice. Yet, this discovery has shed light on its historical use and the potential risks associated with it. The study discovered that recipients of this procedure developed dementia and biomarker changes within the phenotypic spectrum of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The findings suggest that AD-like Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) has environmentally acquired iatrogenic forms, along with late-onset sporadic and early-onset inherited forms.

Prions and Human Neurodegenerative Diseases

The study also provides insight into prions, human prion diseases, and their relevance in human neurodegenerative diseases. Prions are abnormal, pathogenic agents that are transmissible and are able to induce abnormal folding of specific normal cellular proteins called prion proteins that are found most abundantly in the brain.

The Rare Route of Alzheimer's Transmission

The study presents evidence of a rare route through which Alzheimer's disease could potentially have been transmitted to some patients after they received human growth hormone from deceased donors' brains. The treatment, which has not been used since 1985, found that the growth hormone had the potential to contain fragments of amyloid. A small number of people treated with this went on to develop symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers recommend that medical procedures should be reviewed to ensure that rare cases of Alzheimer's transmission like this do not happen.

Implications for Medical Procedures

Researchers at University College London found that out of 8 British children who received human growth hormone from deceased donors, 5 went on to develop early onset Alzheimer's disease many decades later. The growth hormone may have contained amyloid beta protein plaques, which build up in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease over time. This research raises concerns about the sterilization of medical instruments to prevent accidental transmission of amyloid beta pathology. However, person-to-person transmission of Alzheimer's disease remains incredibly rare and there is no evidence that amyloid beta can be transmitted in other contexts such as during activities of daily life or provision of routine care.

Alzheimer's Transmission through Human Growth Hormone Treatment

A team of researchers at University College London has reported the first-ever clear evidence of human-to-human transmission of Alzheimer’s disease through a human growth hormone treatment. The hormone was collected from the pituitary glands of deceased people and injected into children with unusually short stature. This led to the development of early-onset Alzheimer’s in some cases. The study found that some of the c-hGH samples contained accumulations of amyloid proteins, and animal tests revealed mice administered the contaminated growth hormone developed signs of Alzheimer’s pathology.

In conclusion, this recent discovery is a significant milestone in Alzheimer's research. It's crucial that we continue to study and understand the potential risks and implications of medical procedures involving human tissue. As we deepen our understanding, we can take further steps to ensure the safety and welfare of patients around the globe.