Alzheimer's

Singapore researchers support human/animal chimeras

admin — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 06:59:59 -0500

Scientists in Singapore are advocating new rules that would permit researchers to splice human DNA into animals to further stem cell research. The development of human/animal chimeras would allow Read more...

Stem cells could restore lost brain functions

admin — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 06:59:59 -0500

Neural stem cells were used to stimulate the learning and memory abilities of mice engineered to mimic the severe disabilities produced by Alzheimer's and stroke. The researchers at UC Irvine say Read more...

Blood test accurate in identifying Alzheimer's

admin — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 06:59:59 -0400

A team of scientists primarily led by researchers at Stanford University say they have developed a blood test that is 90 percent accurate in identifying Alzheimer's, often years before its worst Read more...

U.K. approves 'cybrids' for stem cell research

admin — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 06:59:59 -0400

In the interest of making more and better human stem cells for research, U.K. regulators have approved the creation of short-lived human/animal hybrid embryos. Only tiny fragments of animal DNA will Read more...

ALSO NOTED: New targets for ALS; Genetic switch for breast cancer; Designer estrogen potential;

admin — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 06:59:58 -0400

Genomics People who carry the APOE e4 gene--which has been linked to Alzheimer's--are exposed to a significantly elevated risk of postoperative Read more...

Prion study points to Alzheimer's therapies

admin — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:01:39 -0400

A discovery that the presence of prions interrupts the buildup of beta amyloid may point to new therapies to treat Alzheimer's. The research work was triggered by similarities between human mad cow disease and Alzheimer's. In mad cow disease, corrupted prion proteins cause brain damage. When the level of normal prions is high, the researchers noted, the presence of beta amyloids was low. When the level of prions was low, though, beta amyloids were more prevalent. To test the work, …

Big pharma sees big payback for Alzheimer's research

admin — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 20:01:39 -0400

Wyeth has devoted more than 350 scientists to 23 separate research projects aimed at treating Alzheimer's. So far, that commitment has cost the giant drug developer more than $450 million. But while it's one of the most ambitious research projects in the world related to Alzheimer's, The New York Times concludes that a broad array of pharma and biotech companies are also looking for new therapies to treat a disease that is expected to claim millions of more victims as the …

Biomedical researchers lobby against funding cuts

admin — Mon, 28 May 2007 20:01:39 -0400

Some of the country's top biomedical researchers have been beating a path to Congress in an attempt to fend off deep cuts in research funds. Nobel Prize winner Roger D. Kornberg, for example, has been making the point that it was doubtful he could have done his groundbreaking work on the way DNA is copied in the current budgetary environment. "In the present climate especially, the funding decisions are ultraconservative," he told The Washington Post. "If the work that you …

Therapy restores lost memory in Alzheimer's model

admin — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 20:01:39 -0400

A team of researchers at MIT has discovered that a combination of mental stimulation and histone deacetylase, or HDAC, inhibitors can restore lost memories in mice engineered to develop Alzheimer's. Most of the new therapies in development for Alzheimer's are targeting the early stage of the disease. But these researchers found that even after Alzheimer's has caused severe memory loss, the therapeutic combination could be effective in helping restore learning and memory. The British …

Nanomaterials used to fix neuron damage

admin — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 20:01:39 -0400

Northwestern University researcher Samuel Stupp has presented the results of a study in which he injected nanomaterials into the severed spinal cords of mice, allowing them to walk again after several weeks of therapy. The nanomaterials he used were designed to self-assemble into nanofibers which repaired damaged neurons. The research offers new insights into the near-term research potential of nanotechnology and offers hope for patients with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's who suffer from …