Recent studies have suggested that the onset of human dementia is linked to the age-related build up of a protein termed B2M (beta 2-microglobulin) and, unfortunately, this protein is especially likely to build up in patients undergoing kidney dialysis where memory loss can be a common side-effect (http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/jul/06/memory-loss-in-old-age-breakthrough-offers-dementia-hope-say-researchers). Studies using mice in San Francisco have shown that subjects treated with B2M behaved in memory tasks like much older individuals whereas mice genetically modified not to produce this protein performed well into old age. This current focus on brain protein chemistry suggests that certain proteins are detrimental to memory whereas others can counteract the aging process. Perhaps hope for the (distant) future?
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