ITP and Alzheimer's, how do they relate?

I've been doing research on Alzheimer's. Both of my sisters have been diagnosed with it. One doctor / research group has identified 6 types of the disease and associated attributes to each.
"Investigating the 6 types of Alzheimer's disease"
"Reversing Alzheimer’s Disease- Dr. Dale Bredesen, MD"
Oddly or not, it looks like there is a good chance that the 4 ITP types, that I have identified, may well cross over to 3 or 4 of the 6 types of Alzheimer's the doctor has identified. I'd like to gather some evidence of whether or not there is a connection. Does anyone know there ApoE status, either ApoE3 or ApoE4 or both? Or, would anyone like to share their experiences with Alzheimer's ?

Hal, I read an article years ago that linked ITP and dementia, but it was vascular dementia (my mom died from this.....did not have ITP).

INTRODUCTION:

Platelets have been implicated in memory disorders but this has not been investigated in patients with immune or idiopathic thrombocytopenia (ITP). ITP is an autoimmune disorder in which autoantibodies bring about platelet destruction. We previously reported a group of ITP patients who manifested TIA-like syndrome and gradual memory loss leading to dementia: platelet microparticles (PMP), a marker of platelet activation, were often elevated, suggesting that procoagulant PMP released from stimulated platelets contributed to thrombosis in small vessels. We have expanded on those studies to better define the clinical, laboratory, and radiologic characteristics of this syndrome.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Twenty ITP patients with this syndrome were studied in comparison to twenty-three ITP patients without it (patient controls). Clinical and laboratory features were compared and radiologic images were analyzed. Factors influencing the rate of progression to advanced dementia were also investigated.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:

Recurring dizzy or weak spells, TIA-like syndrome, recent memory loss, and cognitive impairment were common initial complaints. In some, these symptoms progressed rapidly to dementia but was indolent in others. Progression was faster in those with splenectomy and higher platelet counts. MRI showed enhanced signal in subcortical, periventricular areas, consistent with ischemic small vessel disease. Compared to patient controls, bleeding was less frequent and platelet activation (increased PMP, CD62p) was more frequent in the study group. Thrombotic complications may occur in ITP, manifested as TIA-like syndrome or memory loss due to ischemic small vessel disease, progressing to vascular dementia. Memory disturbances associated with platelet disorders warrants further investigation.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12565721

Here is another potential cause of Alzheimer's. I'm sorry about your sisters. Dementia of any sort is horrible. May I ask how old they are?

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4202242/

Sandi,
I note that the 'vascular' type of Alzheimer's was identified as type 4 in the video. The example causation given was cardio-vascular disease. I guess the difference between vascular dementia and vascular Alzheimer's would require autopsy of brain? Did your mother have high blood pressure? Was she on statins to reduce cholesterol? In the video for type 4, statins are listed as a treatment.

My oldest (half) sister is 74. My (full) sister is 64 and is on an FDA trial for a new Alzheimer's drug. I think she had to be ApoE4 double positive to get on the trial, but not sure. Both of them had to quit their job because of memory issues.

The aluminium / mercury / toxins type of Alzheimer's is type 3. Included in the list is: mold, herpes/Chickenpox, Lyme disease, and pesticides. Type 3 is normally associated with early onset - 50s to 60s age. It is the immune system's ongoing attack of the toxin is the described causative factor here. For treatment of type 3, besides removing the toxin, IV Glutathione is listed.

My initial guess here is that Chickenpox gave me ITP and is now giving my sister Alzheimer's. Based on that, I wonder if ITP will end up being protective for me in regards to Alzheimer's. I also wonder if a low dose of Danazol would benefit my sister, as it does me with ITP.

Chicken pox gave your sister Alzheimer's?

My mom did have high blood pressure but I don't think that is what set off her dementia. She was fine until she broke her hip. She was 76 and working full time. She fell at work and that was it. She was doing well but ended up with a pulmonary embolism while in rehab. It nearly killed her. At the time, the Dr. said that she had multiple mini-clots throughout her body which apparently hit her brain. She had been on blood thinners while in rehab because she was fairly immobile. Due to a new protocol, they took her off of the blood thinners on day 20. She had the embolism on day 22. I suggested that they change their protocol back to what it was. After that happened, her short term memory started to go. I had been helping her pay bills before the clot and she was totally on top of things. After the clot, she couldn't remember things about her payments any more. It all went downhill from there. She was diagnosed with an MRI.

I don't think that having ITP protects from dementia, but I do think it can contribute to it due to microparticles. Part of it depends on how ITP is managed and having counts on the lower side may protect some. I don't believe that everyone with ITP is destined to end up with dementia, but like I said, how it is managed may play a part. Always look at the bigger picture when making decisions.

Early onset dementia never used to be a thing. This is fairly new and something is causing it.

Those are my thoughts on the subject.

Sandi wrote: Chicken pox gave your sister Alzheimer's?

Where is the emoji for 'doubt'.
Yes, it's on their list.

Ha, yep, doubt emoji needed. When did she have chicken pox?

I'm not so sure early onset dementia is that new.
I think it is possibly more the fact that it receives more publicity these days as it's not such a taboo topic as it used to be. I nursed a chap with it in 1979.
This literature review www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3715758/ cites articles over 30 years old including "Epidemiology of Alzheimer's presenile dementia in Scotland, 1974-88." available at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1677055/

Okay, maybe a better term is 'more common'.

Sandi wrote: Ha, yep, doubt emoji needed. When did she have chicken pox?

I was too young to remember, but as I understand, my sister got Chickenpox when she started school. Then she came home and gave it to me.

The immune relation theory is, just as Shingles becomes a problem as one get's older, so can/does Alzheimer's. When younger the body fights the virus off effectively. No Shingles or Alzheimer's either one. Chickenpox DNA has been found in the brain plaques caused by the disease. Here is a 2010 paper on L-lysine.
"Could lysine supplementation prevent Alzheimer’s dementia? A novel hypothesis"
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2987503/

On a related front...

I had no idea that there is already a substantive theory for a simple Alzeimer's prevention strategy. That one OTC supplement (alone) can potentially prevent it. Here is a fun story about how the good doctor, doctor Paul Cox, discovered it: L-serine
"The Storied Man"
www.southwestmag.com/paul-cox/

I guess it's possible. I wish that doctors would actually treat patients based on a more natural approach like this. No one ever looks at L-lysine levels or Glutithione, etc as a potential problem in health. It could make a world of difference in general overall well-being and prevent future health issues.

I've read several studies that show that a high dose Vitamin C IV along with Thiamine and steroids can cure sepsis pretty quickly. The evidence is pretty convincing. Yet it is nearly impossible to find a doctor who would follow that simple protocol and many flat out refuse. The lack of thinking outside the box in the medical community is the reason I'm really starting to question all of it. The minds are set to not accept anything that isn't the taught 'standard of care', even if there are studies to prove otherwise.

In the 1800's, there was a high mortality rate for the mother after childbirth due to infection and sepsis. One doctor, Ignaz Semmelweis, began to suggest that washing hands between patients could cut back on the deaths. He tried to convince other doctors for years. He was ridiculed and lost his license to practice medicine. Sometimes the simple things are the answer and the willingness to accept anything different than the norm just isn't there.

journal.chestnet.org/article/S0012-3692(16)62564-3/fulltext?code=chest-site

I agree with you Sandi. I think a blending of western, eastern and all other healing modalities and ways of thinking are important. Unfortunately, I think humans often prefer to categorize, label and segregate. Perhaps because of the false sense of safety inherent in that type of thinking and feeling.

The Vit C treatment for sepsis is being noticed more and more. There have been studies/clinical trials, so it may soon be a more common treatment. Have you had an experience where a doctor refused that treatment for you?

I believe the best doctors/healers are those that are intelligent, know their craft, are knowledgable about standards and current theories and practices, work closely with other doctors, listen to their patients and are open and imaginative. They are the ones who use all of their skill and knowledge to think outside of the boxes and come up with creative, obvious and/or simple solutions. I think being innovative and creative is especially important when it comes to auto-immune issues. I'm always looking for doctors who are creative thinkers and prefer to make connections rather than narrow and isolate.

I think being a doctor is a very difficult task and some truly embody the role. The world needs more of them.

Interesting literature review regarding Vitamin C
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0883944117310596

B2 - No, I have not experienced sepsis, but I have read some personal stories. As far as I'm concerned, it seems to be a no-brainer since it can't cause any harm. I read a personal account of a woman whose father was comatose and they didn't think he was going to make it. She fought for the Vitamin C treatment and within hours, he was sitting up in bed and talking. I know it's anecdotal, but so is everything we experience here.

I'm sure that it is very hard being a doctor. The standard of care is pushed so hard that they can catch flack for going against it even if it's in the best interest of the patient. So many are quitting these days.

That's an amazing story Sandi. I'm glad the daughter was able to be such a strong advocate for her father.

Yes, the shortage of good doctors is sad. I never really understood all the difficulties doctors have to navigate and carry through their school years and beyond. I just watched a documentary about the Mayo Clinic. It was interesting and hopeful.

If you get a chance, try to watch The Bleeding Edge on Netflix. It's not about ITP, it's about medical devices. Eye opener.

Hal9000 wrote: ...
My initial guess here is that Chickenpox gave me ITP and is now giving my sister Alzheimer's. Based on that, I wonder if ITP will end up being protective for me in regards to Alzheimer's. I also wonder if a low dose of Danazol would benefit my sister, as it does me with ITP.

I've made a grave logical error about protection from Alzheimer's.
Although L-lysine is an effective treatment for both Shingles and Herpes / cold sores, I have incorrectly thought of them as the same disease. Obviously they are not. The DNA of Herpes, not Chickenpox, has been found in Alzheimer's plaques. Since Chickenpox (likely) triggered my ITP, my body's confusion is between attacking Chickenpox and attacking TPO/(platelet production). It is not between attacking Herpes and attacking TPO/(platelets). Therefore, my ITP is NOT protective against Alzheimer's.

I've been experimenting with L-lysine and I'm glad I have - and came to the realization above. It seems as though L-lysine is effective in relieving certain, very mild, headaches that I occasionally get. More experimentation is necessary though to confirm. I wonder if these headaches are a symptom of the Herpes driven type, type 3, of Alzheimer's disease.

Sandi wrote:
... I started taking the Glutathione too. My list of vitamins and supplements just keeps growing. Pretty soon I won't have to bother eating food.

I take: Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, B-12, K-2, Magnesium, Probiotics, Glutathione, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Selenium, Collagen, D-Ribose, and MSM.

Sandi, I've been coming up to speed on various Alzheimer's topics by doing searches on the apeo4.info website discussion board.
www.apoe4.info/forums/search.php

One of the many big issues talked about on apoe4.info is Glutathione. Apparently it is not straightforward in getting it to work reliably longterm. Here is one informative article I found along the way. A 'Dr. Mercola' is often quoted and has his own web site.
articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/04/10/can-you-use-food-to-increase-glutathione-instead-of-supplements.aspx

This post explains the Glutathione issue as a 'negative feedback' problem. Supplements decrease one's Glutathione production.
www.apoe4.info/forums/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=104&p=1395#p1395

The suggested way to raise Glutathione levels is through (cold pressed) Whey Protein. I guess the theory is to always make sure the precursors for the body to make Glutathione are always available. What do you think?