Researcher Ellen Beere’s Breakthrough in Understanding Cerebrovascular Diseases
Ellen Beere, a distinguished professor in the Department of Pathology at the University of New Mexico, is transforming our understanding of cerebrovascular diseases. By introducing a new model aimed at classifying and comprehending forms of vascular dementia, Beere seeks to improve treatment and prevention of these conditions.
A New Framework for Studying Cerebrovascular Diseases
In her research paper, Ellen Beere presented a modern model to classify forms of vascular dementia, explaining how changes in small blood vessels contribute to cognitive decline. This study, published in the American Journal of Pathology, marks a significant step toward a better understanding of these complex diseases.
Beere hopes this new framework will help scientists identify different types of vascular dementia, enabling them to develop more effective treatments in the future.
What Causes Vascular Dementia?
While some factors like high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and diabetes are known risk factors, others remain unclear. One new factor that has caught Beere’s attention is the presence of nano and microplastics in the human brain.
Beere states, “We have been working without a clear vision, as the various vascular diseases were not comprehensively defined, and therefore we didn’t know exactly what we were treating. We didn’t realize that nano and microplastics played a role because we couldn’t see them.”
Mapping Hidden Brain Damage
Beere identified ten separate pathological processes that can damage the brain’s vascular system. These conditions can deprive brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients, cause blood vessels to leak, induce inflammation, or hinder the brain’s ability to clear waste. This leads to a series of micro-strokes that gradually harm neurons.
Her study highlights both new and established laboratory techniques, including advanced staining methods and specialized microscopes, capable of revealing these subtle damage patterns.
Overlap of Alzheimer’s Disease and Vascular Disorders
By examining brain tissue donated by families of patients in New Mexico who died from dementia, Beere discovered that many cases diagnosed as Alzheimer’s also showed signs of vascular injury.
Beere notes, “We suspect that half of Alzheimer’s patients in New Mexico may also have vascular disease.”
Beere emphasizes that a systematic approach to identifying different forms of vascular dementia will help neurologists and neuropathologists more accurately assess disease severity in both living and deceased patients, enhancing the search for potential treatments and even cures.
The Emerging Role of Microplastics in the Brain
Another key area of Beere’s research is the potential health impact of nano and microplastics within brain tissue.
Beere says, “Nano in the brain represents a new player in the field of brain diseases. All our current ideas about Alzheimer’s and other dementias need to be reviewed in light of this discovery.”
Beere points out that there is a greater amount of plastic in people with dementia compared to normal subjects, and this appears to be linked to the degree and type of dementia.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ellen Beere’s work represents a significant step toward better understanding and identifying cerebrovascular diseases and the dementia they cause. By employing advanced laboratory techniques and exploring the role of new factors like nano and microplastics, Beere is opening new doors in the treatment of these diseases. Collaboration with other institutions and developing standardized classification criteria are important parts of this effort, highlighting the growing importance of precise scientific research in improving healthcare.