Wednesday, August 22, 2007

God, Please Let This Work

Elliot of From Where I Sit points us to this article that claims scientists have found a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.

For years experts have been looking for a way of preventing the debilitating brain condition.

Now British and American ­scientists have found a way of halting its spread.

Last night the discovery was being hailed by experts as a huge development in the fight against the condition – as the number of victims is likely to double over the next decade.

One of the researchers described the breakthrough as “blindingly simple”.

Alzheimer’s is caused when amyloid – a chemical that naturally occurs in the bloodstream – passes into the brain.
Once there it forms plaques that harden. These damage communication between brain cells and eventually cause brain cell death.

Scientists have discovered a synthetic human protein that is capable of soaking up amyloid – preventing it leaking into the brain.

Like many people, I have a loved one who was plagued with Alzheimer’s and I hope this works. As a self-diagnosed hypochondriac, it better be available before my “symptoms” get worse.

 

(6) Comments
Posted by Wendy at 1549 hrs
Culture

  1. I hope this was developed thru animal research. Those who oppose such research whould then be prohibited from receiving it.

    Posted by triticale on August 22, 2007 at 1711 hrs


  2. The loved one—is that Owen?

    My mother had it; both her brothers had it, too.

    I only hope that it skips generations.

    Posted by dad29 on August 22, 2007 at 1749 hrs


  3. Fascinating.  It looks like the body is literally damaging itself, much akin to cancer.

    One wonders if they’ll work on first.  The source, or the problem caused by it?

    Posted by Kevin Binversie on August 22, 2007 at 1838 hrs


  4. Triticale-Nice thought.  Bad people would have said the same about stem cells.  Way to get to the bottom first.

    Dad-I’m pretty sure you didn’t just say you’d rather your kids got it than you.  Did you?

    Let’s just all hope that this shows enough promise to move forward.  Shall we?

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on August 22, 2007 at 2331 hrs


  5. Grumps, the first difference is that a large percentage of medical breakthrus made over the past century resulted from animal research. The second is that foes of animal research resort to vandalism and threats, whereas foes of one narrow form of stem cell research, which to date has been the least productive, put restrictions on Federal funding of it. Who’s racing for the bottom?

    Posted by triticale on August 23, 2007 at 0035 hrs


  6. Either way denial of treatment to an old man who can no longer remember that he once was against animal testing is pretty low triticale.

    I don’t disagree with dad’s notion that he hopes it skips generations—presumably by the time his kids are ripe for it it’ll be fixed, eh?

    I hope it works too because, to me, Alzheimer’s seems to be the absolute worst way to go. What could possibly be worse than losing your sense of self? Your own identity?

    Posted by k2aggie07 on August 23, 2007 at 1133 hrs


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