Alzheimer’s can pass between humans in rare medical accidents, suggests study

Researchers say the findings raise the importance of measures such as ensuring effective decontamination of surgical instruments. Photograph: OJO Images/Rex Features

Alzheimer’s can be spread from human to human through rare medical accidents, research suggests, although experts stress there is no evidence the disease can be passed between people through everyday activities or routine care.

Researchers say a handful of people who received human growth hormone from the pituitary glands of deceased donors have gone on to develop early onset Alzheimer’s – likely because the hormones used were contaminated with proteins that seeded the disease in their brains.