New hope for Alzheimer's cure

Herald Sun (Australia) ^ | July 25, 2006 | ROBYN RILEY

[libstripper]

IN a world first, Melbourne scientists have developed a once-a-day pill that they claim may cure Alzheimer's disease. Human trials of the drug start next month.

The drug -- called PBT2 -- was developed by a team from the Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria in collaboration with Melbourne-based Prana Biotechnology.

"It is a major breakthrough and very much a Melbourne discovery," said Prof George Fink, the director of the Mental Health Research Institute.

[libstripper]

If this actually works, it will be a medical discovery on the order of the Polio vaccine. Anyone who has lived with a loved one who's sufered from this horrible desease knows the entire family is the victim, not just the person with the disease.

[traderrob6]

The second article I have read on this.....interesting.

[MeanWestTexan]

But . . . . the MSM tells us we need grind up baby brains to cure alzheimers.

[yellowdoghunter]

Praying it is true, but not getting my hopes up.

[Bommer]

I really do pray that this is true, but since scientists do not seem to know exactly what causes Alzheimers, Its still going to be awhile to verify is this is teh magic bullet!

[NonValueAdded]

Wow, embryonic stem cell research has cured another disease and ... whatwasthatyousaid? It WASN'T ESCR? There are NO ESCR trials underway for ANY cure? nevermind.

[randog]

That was my first thought.

[El Sordo]

Not a problem.

There are plenty of other diseases that they can claim we need to grind up babies for.

[randog]

When will we hear that "George Bush's FDA" is holding this up?

[yellowdoghunter]

If this actually works, it will be a medical discovery on the order of the Polio vaccine.

So true, it has been so long since the medical community has had any breakthroughs in curing a major disease.

[ErnBatavia]

but since scientists do not seem to know exactly what causes Alzheimers

And, for all practical purposes, even the diagnosis isn't confirmed until autopsy.

[Jim Noble]

Everything I could find on this was a press release.

All mention the company's NASDAQ symbol in the first or second line.

However, targeting metalloproteins to solubilize beta-amyloid makes sense.

Hopefully, there will be data soon that everyone can look at.

[garyhope]

Exactly.

My dad passed away from the effects of Alzheimer's disease and it's just the worst, most heartbreaking thing that can happen to a person and their families.

It's a great financial and emotional strain on the family and society as well.

[WVNan]

Yeah, but those of us whose memory is not what it used to be will thank God and the scientists for any help we can get.

[ANGGAPO]

And the price, if it works, on the market eill be-----per pill?

[aligncare]

...My family went through this disease just recently...you lose your loved one well before Alzheimers finally, mercifully, takes their life....I fear the genetic link most of all.......

[yellowdoghunter]

I fear the genetic link most of all.......

The genetic link is real. My great-grandmother had it, now my grandmother has it and is in an assisted living facility, she quit talking about a year ago, just another phase of the disease.

It is heartbreaking to watch.

[gcruse]

That's the thing about science -- you can't predict where it's going to end up, unlike the iron maiden of religiosity where everything was settled by desert dwellers thousands of years ago.

[isthisnickcool]

Developed by nonbeliever, infidel Aussies. Cool...

[massgopguy]

My Uncle passed away for the effects of Alzheimer's also. Unfortunatly it was my Aunt who had it.