Sunday, February 15, 2009

New therapy 'can reverse Alzheimer's memory loss

Good morning friends. There is this new therapy that can reverse Alzheimer’s memory loss. This is a tough sickness which usually’s the target are older people. Everyone has the mentality that when you got this kind of disease, you will never be cured.

Scientists have developed a new therapy which they claim can prevent and even reverse memory loss in Alzheimer's patients.


It could repair some of the damage caused by the disease by treating patients with a naturally occurring protein in the body, called brain-derived neurotrophic factor.


"The effects of BDNF were potent. When we administered BDNF to memory circuits in the brain, we directly stimulated their activity and prevented cell death from the disease.


"We have shown that BDNF targets the cells themselves, preventing their death, stimulating their function, improving learning and memory. BDNF treatment can potentially provide long-lasting protection by slowing, or even stopping disease progression in the cortical regions that receive treatment." The scientist found BDNF treatment can slow or stop the progression of Alzheimer's in the animals.


And, compared to animals not treated with the protein they had significant improvement in their memory and learning skills.


It seems to show that another protein, BDNF, may protect and restore memory. This research offers insight into the way in which Alzheimer's progresses and alternative avenues of research."


Reference:
indianexpress

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