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Doctors often encourage people with Alzheimer's or those at risk for the disease to keep their brains active by doing crossword puzzles and other mind games. Now, a new study shows activity in a different area of the brain could actually increase the plaque that is characteristic of the disease.

In a study of mice, David Holtzman, M.D., and colleagues from Washington University in St. Louis, found when certain areas of the brain are active, there is an increase in the plaque known to be associated with Alzheimer's. This particular area of the brain is active when healthy young people are not carrying out a specific cognitive task like daydreaming.

Researchers used electrical stimulation to turn nerve cell communications on and off in mice. Then, they assessed the levels of plaque in the brain and found the more communication there was between nerve cells in this region and the more neurotransmitters were released, the higher the levels of plaque.

"One hypothesis is that enrichment may increase overall synaptic activity in some brain regions and decrease it in others, depending on the environmental alteration," according to Dr. Holtzman. He says they hope to better understand why certain regions of the brain are more susceptible to plaque build up. He also believes, this information may help lead to a drug treatment that could selectively reduce some communication between brain cells.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

SOURCE: Neuron, 2005;48:913-922

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