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Lifelong heat exposure as a potential contributor to Alzheimer's disease resilience

Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › peer-review

Abstract

A recent case study reported a PSEN2 mutation carrier with high amyloid burden but unexpectedly restricted tau pathology and preserved cognition. While genetic and proteomic factors were explored, the patient's lifelong occupational heat exposure may represent an overlooked contributor to resilience. We highlight evidence from preclinical, clinical, and epidemiological studies suggesting that elevated body temperature promotes tau clearance via enhanced proteostasis. This observation invites deeper investigation into thermoregulation as a modifiable factor in tau homeostasis and Alzheimer's disease vulnerability, with implications for both biomarker interpretation and therapeutic strategies targeting tau-mediated neurodegeneration.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)541-544
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Alzheimer's Disease
Volume111
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2026
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2026

Keywords

  • Alzheimer's disease
  • heat exposure
  • resilience
  • sauna
  • tau pathology
  • tau proteostasis
  • thermal therapy

PubMed: MeSH publication types

  • Journal Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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