Just an observation: My 86-year-old father with Alzheimer's onset in 2006 had a gastrointestinal bleed and received 11 units of packed cells. After the first six units, his short-term memory improved significantly. He was able to read news articles and explain them 30 minutes later. Remembered visitors and their conversations. Did not repeat himself or ask the same questions repeatedly. Now at three weeks out from the last transfusion and no active bleeding, the short-term memory has returned to baseline, i.e., very poor. Coincidence, maybe, but it was nice to have "real" Dad back for a while.
Eotaxin or CCL 11 is known to recruit eosinophiles. This is thought to indicate a relationship to allergic reactions. Eosinophilic bodies have been reported in Alzheimer's disease cortex on neuropathological exams. They have been described as homogeneous electron-dense bodies on electron microscopic examination (1).
Possibly, there is some type of allergic response, or eosinophiles are being recruited by CCL 11 with resulting adverse effects on the brain and the brain deterioration noted in Alzheimer's disease.
References:
Inoue M, Yagishita S, Itoh Y, Koyano S, Amano N, Matsushita M.
Eosinophilic bodies in the cerebral cortex of Alzheimer's disease cases.
Acta Neuropathol. 1996 Dec;92(6):555-61.
PubMed.
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Just an observation: My 86-year-old father with Alzheimer's onset in 2006 had a gastrointestinal bleed and received 11 units of packed cells. After the first six units, his short-term memory improved significantly. He was able to read news articles and explain them 30 minutes later. Remembered visitors and their conversations. Did not repeat himself or ask the same questions repeatedly. Now at three weeks out from the last transfusion and no active bleeding, the short-term memory has returned to baseline, i.e., very poor. Coincidence, maybe, but it was nice to have "real" Dad back for a while.
View all comments by Carol DelanyI'd like to see an ARF Webinar on this topic.
View all comments by J. Lucy Boydretired
Eotaxin or CCL 11 is known to recruit eosinophiles. This is thought to indicate a relationship to allergic reactions. Eosinophilic bodies have been reported in Alzheimer's disease cortex on neuropathological exams. They have been described as homogeneous electron-dense bodies on electron microscopic examination (1).
Possibly, there is some type of allergic response, or eosinophiles are being recruited by CCL 11 with resulting adverse effects on the brain and the brain deterioration noted in Alzheimer's disease.
References:
Inoue M, Yagishita S, Itoh Y, Koyano S, Amano N, Matsushita M. Eosinophilic bodies in the cerebral cortex of Alzheimer's disease cases. Acta Neuropathol. 1996 Dec;92(6):555-61. PubMed.
View all comments by Steven BrennerMake a Comment
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