A new laboratory study indicates that Alzheimer’s disease may damage the body’s peripheral nervous system, potentially contributing to motor problems seen in patients alongside memory loss.

Axar.az reports that researchers developed a human lab model of the neuromuscular junction — the connection between nerve cells and muscles — using stem cell technology. The system allowed scientists to study how genetic forms of Alzheimer’s disease affect nerve-to-muscle communication.

The study focused on two familial Alzheimer’s mutations and found that motor neurons carrying these mutations showed functional impairments in their ability to signal muscles properly, even though they were still able to form normal connections.

According to the researchers at the University of Central Florida, the severity of dysfunction varied depending on the mutation, with one genetic variant showing more widespread and persistent deficits in neuromuscular performance.

Importantly, tests showed that commonly used Alzheimer’s medications, including memantine and galantamine, did not improve the observed neuromuscular impairments in the model.

The researchers also identified cellular abnormalities linked to Alzheimer’s mutations, including disrupted endosomal processes and changes in proteins involved in cellular transport, which may help explain the loss of nerve function.

The findings suggest that Alzheimer’s disease may not be limited to the brain alone, but could also involve systemic effects on nerve and muscle function, potentially contributing to symptoms such as reduced strength and slower movement seen in patients.

However, the authors note that the study was conducted in a laboratory model and further research is needed to confirm how these findings translate to patients.