• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Alzheimers vaccine works in mice!

techs

Lifer
http://health.yahoo.com/news/173545

Alzheimer's vaccine works on mice: Japan scientist
March 28, 2007 11:49:28 PM PST

Japanese scientists have developed an oral vaccine for Alzheimer's disease that has proven effective and safe in mice, the director of a research institute behind the project said on Thursday.

The team is preparing to move to small-scale clinical trials in humans, possibly this year, said Takeshi Tabira, director of the National Institute for Longevity Sciences in Aichi, central Japan.



Wow. this really looks like breakthru!
 
Originally posted by: Feldenak
Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: AnyMal
Huge breakthru?

Sure, if you find a way to convert people to mice.

Well, scientist did create a sheep that is 15% human.

Seriously, as someone who has watched Alzheimer's destroy relatives on both sides of my family and is wondering when and if it'll happen to my parents....any news like this is good news.

Agreed.[/q

Wow, this gives sheep shagging some legitimacy 🙂
 
not really a vaccine, but a very clever way to cause the body to defend itself. very neat.
 
Originally posted by: AnyMal
Huge breakthru?

Sure, if you find a way to convert people to mice.

I may be corrected here but let me take a stab at this.


When you are young your body produces certain anti-proteins that can break down Amyloid proteins in your brain. As you get older your system stops producing these protein breakers. Your body, in a secondary reaction, concentrates Amyloid proteins into clumps. These clumps inhibit the firing of neurons in the brain, causing loss of functioning, but with the general ability to "save" the body. As these clumps become more dense they inhibit more functioning. This is why you get the "regression" often seen in Alzheimers patients. As more parts of your brain are inhibited, such as your memory areas, you lose functions and actual memories.

The ability to break down the Amyloids, before they form these clumps, is essential. If the body can be "rallied" and the system be better enabled to fight and break down the Amyloids, Alzheimers can be permenantly staved off.

Now, from what I understand, Amyloid proteins have the same structure whether they are in rats or humans, since the basic chemical make-up is the same. Thus, if you can find a way to keep the immune system functioning and pumping out anti-Amyloid chemicals, you can transport that treatment to any Amyloid inflicted animal.

The question becomes, are at anti-Amyloid systems the same as Humans and will the side-effects (if any) be the same or more (or less) harmful?

Either way, this is a massive breakthrough, and one that can affect not just Alzheimers.

One question I have though, if this does work on Humans, will it work retroactively? Will we see Alzheimer patients get better, or is this just a preventative medicine?
 
Very cool. Hopefully these clinical trials in humans will show that improvement in the signs of Alzheimers also translates into improved symptoms.
 
Human testing is typically where they find issues with these types of new treatments. Quite a few (not specifically alzheimers) animal trials have looked very promising only to fail miserably when tested on humans.

Obviously one can dream that isnt the case here, but I wouldn't get my hopes up too high.
 
I have high hopes and low expectations.
That way I won't be disappointed!

I have informed my 40 something co workers (I'm in my 20s) this news, and told them that there is still hope for them. One of them showed gratitude, the other guy left for the day, so I'll get his reaction tomorrow.
 
Back
Top