Alzheimer's breakthrough: Scientists may have found potential cause of the disease in the behaviour

[renate]

64. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be as easy as eating/supplementing arginine

It is found in food, including dairy products, meat, nuts and chickpeas, but the team at Duke said that their study did not suggest eating more arginine would have an impact on Alzheimer’s risk. The blood-brain barrier regulates how much arginine can enter the brain, and the immune response that breaks down arginine would remain the same even if confronted with higher levels of the nutrient.
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/alzheimers-breakthrough-scientists-may-have-found-potential-cause-of-the-disease-in-the-behaviour-of-immune-cells--giving-new-hope-to-millions-10176652.html

Does the study suggest that people should eat more arginine or take dietary supplements? The answer is 'no,' Colton said, partly because a dense mesh of cells and blood vessels called the blood-brain barrier determines how much arginine will enter the brain. Eating more arginine may not help more get into the sites of the brain that need it. Besides, if the scientists' theory is correct, then the enzyme arginase, unless it's blocked, would still break down the arginine.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/04/150414212313.htm

But at least they have a target now--arginase--which is a great start.