Slashdot Mirror


A Cure for Alzheimers?

Frankenbean writes "Three different studies have shown that a vaccine can help prevent protein deposits from forming on the brain. These deposits are widely beleived to be the cause of Alzheimer's disease. Read more here."

3 of 6 comments (clear)

  1. This is intriguing... by jd · · Score: 2
    This =SERIOUSLY= fouls up the theory that Alzeimers is a result of long-term aluminium poisoning. You can't exactly develop a vaccine for metal contamination.

    (Unless there is more than one trigger required, of course. In which case, conventional metal detox chemicals on a regular basis should be just as effective as the vaccine.)

    --
    It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)
  2. Alzheimer's Gene and Vaccine. by Schwarzchild · · Score: 3
    There is a much longer article on MIT's TechReview describing the discovery of the gene responsible for causing Alzheimer's and a little history on the guy (Dale Schenk) who found a vaccine for it.

    Sounds like they have several drugs in the pipeline that may block some of the effects of the disease but the search is furious to find a drug that will safely block the function of the beta-amyloid peptide.

    --

    "sweet dreams are made of this..."

  3. Hmm... by The+Unconquered+One · · Score: 3

    It should be said proteins are formed by RNA, specifically by ribosomes and synthesised by the endoplasmic reticulum. I speculate how this drug works..perhaps by hindering operation of the protein organelles? Regardless, be sure to check out cell biology @ utmb under the protein section, if you're interested in how proteins function (this was missed in the article).

    --
    It's not cool to use other peoples code... -