Alzheimer's Plaques Imaged in Living Brains

Yves writes "Japanese scientists have developed a technique to detect traces of Alzheimer's disease (amyloid plaques in the brain) on living mice... Until now, the standard way to confirm the presence of the plaques, and thus the disease, was by autopsy. The question remains: Do you really want to know early that you have Alzheimer disease, as there is no effective treatment yet?"

Comments

Want to know?

[dn15]

The question remains: Do you really want to know early that you have Alzheimer disease, as there is no effective treatment yet?

Interesting question. I doubt I'd really want to know, as much as it may sound like sticking my head in the sand. What good can it do for one's quality of life to spend their days worrying about a disease, if nothing can be done about it anyway? Maybe it would be good to be able to put your affairs in order, but besides that probably not.

Re:Want to know?

[Curtman]

It would probably be better information for the families, than for the individuals. You'd probably make better plans if you knew you were going to have to care for Grandpa as an alzheimer victim.