In a groundbreaking study published in the journal Nature Medicine, researchers from University College London (UCL) have identified a potential link between human-derived growth hormone and the transmission of Alzheimer's disease. The study focuses on five individuals who, after receiving growth hormone extracted from human cadavers during childhood, later exhibited symptoms consistent with early-onset dementia.
Historic Use of Human-Derived Growth Hormone Raises Concerns
Between 1959 and 1985, over 1,800 patients in the U.K. underwent treatment with human growth hormone obtained from the pituitary glands of deceased individuals. This hormone was primarily administered to children facing severe short stature due to hormonal deficiencies. However, the treatment came under scrutiny in 1985 when a patient died from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rare and fatal brain disorder caused by abnormal infectious proteins known as prions.
As more patients who received the growth hormone treatment began falling ill with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, the cadaver-derived treatment was withdrawn. Yet, subsequent examinations revealed that many of these patients exhibited protein clumps in their brains, indicative of Alzheimer's disease. Despite the masking effect of Creutzfeldt-Jakob symptoms, some archived batches of the human-derived growth factor still contained measurable quantities of Alzheimer's-associated proteins.
The New Study and Its Alarming Findings
The recent study "Iatrogenic Alzheimer's disease in recipients of cadaveric pituitary-derived growth hormone" by UCL researchers delves into the cases of five individuals aged between 38 and 55 who, following genetic testing, did not show genetic variants associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. These individuals, having received human-derived growth hormone during childhood, met the diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer's disease, with progressive impairment affecting their daily lives.
Susan Kohlhaas, executive director of research and partnerships at Alzheimer's Research UK, highlighted the rare circumstances revealed by the study, suggesting the transmission of Alzheimer's disease through human growth hormone from deceased donors. While emphasizing that this specific treatment is no longer in use, Kohlhaas stressed that there is no evidence to suggest transmission through routine activities or medical procedures.
Reassurance for the Current Population
Richard Oakley, associate director of research and innovation at the Alzheimer's Society, assured the public that the treatment in question has not been used since 1985. Patients today receive synthetic alternatives approved for safety, minimizing the risk of transmitting diseases. The authors of the study note that, while Alzheimer's transmission through human-derived growth hormone is no longer a concern, their findings emphasize the importance of reviewing measures to prevent accidental transmission of similar conditions through other medical treatments and procedures.
Bart De Strooper, professor and group leader at the UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, urged patients not to reconsider or forgo essential medical procedures. He emphasized the critical role of procedures like blood transfusions and neurosurgery in saving lives worldwide each year.
The study, while shedding light on a historical concern, ultimately underscores the ongoing efforts to enhance medical safety and understanding of neurodegenerative diseases.
