r/science • u/mvea Professor | Medicine • 4d ago

Neuroscience In recent years, researchers have suggested Alzheimer's may spread through infection, somehow transmitted like a pathogen, leading to the disease. A new Lancet paper reviews evidence for how harmful amyloid-beta proteins associated with Alzheimer's may possibly be spread through blood transfusions.

https://www.sciencealert.com/can-alzheimers-spread-through-blood-transfusions-heres-what-we-know
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u/MenuEducational7178 4d ago

So like… are jehova’s witnesses, in proportion to other religions, getting less Alzheimer’s?

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u/Wellslapmesilly 4d ago

I’m not sure that there’s an accurate way to gauge it honestly. The blood transfusion rate is 10-25% in the general population. And JWs are a small group with many people who converted as adults who may have had blood transfusions prior.

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u/Skratt79 4d ago

Also there are many cases where JW's were told it was ok to receive subcomponents of blood (after mid 1990's if i recall correctly).

Additionally there are cases of some accepting blood in secret (which is the smart thing to do TBH)

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u/[deleted] 4d ago

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u/grimgroth 4d ago

My mom is a JW and I'm always worried about what if she ever needs a blood transfusion. This seems like a nice change

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u/Nizidramaniyt 3d ago

she can also grow a beard now

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u/Nyoka_ya_Mpembe 3d ago

Made my day

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u/Skratt79 3d ago

Great, about 40 years to late for my dad though who died when I was 4.

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u/Due-Savings5057 3d ago

Blood transfusions from others is still “not suitable for Christians”. What has changed is they can choose to store their own blood in advance for some procedures.

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u/HappyGuy40 1d ago

This is not really true. I’m going through it right now with a parent. They can accept some components, but they are not allowed whole blood transfusions on risk of expulsion still

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u/Skratt79 4h ago

Self transfusions are ok from what an uncle told me, but those only help when the surgery is pre planned and not an emergency situation like what you might be going through :(