Posted on 07/15/2005 6:13:35 AM PDT by Graybeard58
WASHINGTON (AP) -- While a breakthrough for humans could be years away, a new study in mice suggests some memory recovery may be possible in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.
"There basically are two prongs and we need to deal with both," said lead researcher Karen Ashe, a University of Minnesota neurologist. "What we're showing is that there are neurons which are affected (by Alzheimer's) but not dead."
New research shows a mutant protein named tau is poisoning brain cells, and that blocking its production may allow some of those sick neurons to recover. It worked in demented mice who, to the scientists' surprise, fairly rapidly regained memory.
There are no drugs yet to block tau, and most of the recent search for Alzheimer's treatments has focused instead on another protein, called beta-amyloid.
But Thursday's study, published in the journal Science, is sure to refocus attention on finding ways to attack this second culprit, too.
It's important research because it bolsters the notion of targeting those sick neurons in hopes of one day reversing at least some of dementia's damage, said William Thies, scientific director of the Alzheimer's Association. Today's Alzheimer's drugs only treat symptoms.
No one knows exactly what causes Alzheimer's, a creeping brain degeneration that afflicts about 4.5 million Americans and is on the rise as the population ages.
The leading theory is that something spurs abnormal production of beta-amyloid, which forms sticky clumps that coat brain cells and kill them - plaque that is the disease's hallmark. But tau clearly plays some role: A mutant form of this protein forms fibrous tangles in brain cells of Alzheimer's patients, and tau seems to be primarily responsible for another form of dementia.
To see if the tangles themselves are a cause or symptom of dementia, Ashe and colleagues specially engineered a mouse to mimic the kind of tau-and-tangle formation seen in Alzheimer's patients' brains.
From my experience I am inclined to believe that the disease is harder on family members and loved ones than it is on the afflicted one. By definition those who have it are completely ignorant of the fact.
It is a tragic disease. Any help scientists come up with will be great. If they ever find a way to prevent it or find a cure, it would be a major medical miracle.
Have you had a full blood analysis? My father began experiencing memory loss in his early 60's, and was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at 67. However, a new doctor linked his symptoms to iron deficiency and Vitamin B-12 deficiency, and he's doing much better now that he's receiving large-dose vitamin and mineral supplements. He also got a pacemaker installed to treat slow heart function, and that's made a big difference - more blood to the brain!
In summary, not all memory loss in an aging person is Alzheimer's - there are numerous other potential factors, which would indicate different treatment.
FR mail in your inbox.
Back at ya!
Bump
Seriously, my father is currently in the advanced stages of this disease, and at the age of 50, I am starting to detect the early signs of it in myself.
My wife's father had this horrible disease and eventually, he could no longer recognize anyone in his family. In many ways, it was like watching someone in a time machine slowly turning the clock back.
The last time I was able to talk with him, he was living at the time of WWII, during operation Market Garden.
I understand. I too have family members that are afflicted with the disease. Sadly, if the research dollars pumped into disease easily prevented by changes in human behavior, had been used to prevent and/or treat Alzheimer's, great advances would have occurred. More $$ are pumped into studying AIDS than the most important diseases of our time--cardiovascular diseases including stroke, cancer, and Alzheimer's. It is sad when a venereal disease such as AIDS gets all the attention.
Some memory problems are normal part of aging. We all get them, doesn't mean it's Alzheimers.
My own case involves more than memory problems.
My 84 year old mother has memory problems but as far as I can tell that's all it is.
We do have hard water here, that's why we have a water softener. I'm guessing that takes out those minerals that I need.
Thanks for your suggestions.
With the baby boomers coming of Alzheimer's age - I am hopeful that the real hunt is on for this disease. My father recognized there was something wrong with his memory and he grew very depressed about it. He was the one in the family with all the answers and to watch what the disease did to him was unbearable. The Aids disease is preventable but yet they keep pouring all the money and research into it....instead of as you say, cancer, strokes, etc.
I saw this story on local TV. They show rats in a circular pool. First they are disoriented, but the one with gene therapy can remember where it entered the pool filled with an opaque liquid to obscure the steps.
They can return to find the steps from whence they came. They found exactly which gene to tamper with, to repair.
Trust me, it was unfriggen' believable. WCCO.com might still have the story in its health section.
Someone should show this story to Nancy Reagan- it would bring tears to her eyes. It was that amazing. Alzhiemers will be cured within 6-8 years.
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Great post. Thanks.
If so, then the Medicare problem will be majorly resolved. Find a cure or treatment for Alzheimer's, diabetes and arthritis, and the budget will be fine into the far future. The Nursing Home industry will be out of business however.
Alzhiemers will be cured within 6-8 years
If so, then the Medicare problem will be majorly resolved. Find a cure or treatment for Alzheimer's, diabetes and arthritis, and the budget will be fine into the far future.
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