Protein linked to Alzheimer's could be spread during surgery, say researchers

Concern that tiny pieces of harmful proteins could be spread via surgical instruments leads scientists to call for more research into possible transmission

Fragments of sticky proteins found in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease could potentially be spread to others via contaminated surgical instruments and other medical procedures, scientists warn.

Researchers called for further work into the possibility that metal instruments used in medical procedures could pick up harmful proteins which survive conventional sterilisation with formaldehyde.