Slashdot Mirror
Japanese Scientists Make Alzheimers Progress
grammar fascist writes "The AP wire reports that Japanese medical researchers have developed a DNA-based vaccine that reduces the brain plaque beta amyloid without the severe brain inflammation that plagued successes in 2002. From the story 'The deposits have been cut by between 15.5 percent and 38.5 percent in mice, with no major side effects, researchers said Monday in the online edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences [...] If all goes well, this type of treatment might be available for people in six or seven years, [lead researcher Yoh Matsumoto] said.'"
Even if they can cure it, the damage to the brain has already been done. We are talking about major brain tissue loss here. I doubt even stem cell therapy would help much depending how much damage you've taken.
Look at it this way. If you have Alzheimers, you're screwed! It's one of the many risks of being Human when you get older.
Life is not for the lazy.
you do realize that for each overweight drug addict that died from viox, more then 100 got their only chance at enjoying life without constant pain? Ooops, CNN and the NY Times didn't want you to think about that, only that good Lawyers are saving us from the Evil Capitalists.
Dying from emphysema isn't a more pleasant alternative.
-jcr
The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
I know it's a very sensitive issue, but why don't they have programs to test medications like this on people are basically doomed anyway. You don't get better from alzheimers disease. Sometimes you stop getting worse, but you don't get better.
I'd be quite happy to sign something now to the effect of "if I have dementia to the point where I don't even know who I am any more, and there is a potential cure or treatment, sign me up.". If it kills me, or shortens my remaining life then I haven't really lost much, those around me will have gained something as caring for someone like that is a huge burden (and often significantly shortens the life of the spouse if they are still alive), and will benefit the scientists who are testing the treatment, even if its "oh well... so it doesn't work on people afterall".
It's probably a bit late to ask me once my mind is gone though.
With alzheimers though, can they tell yet if it's that or something else without taking your brain out of year head and chopping it up? I remember quite a few years (>10) ago when I had a relative who was thus aflicted, there was lots of initial misdiagnosises (or whatever the plural of that word is), and they basically said that they only way to be sure was to wait until the patient had passed away.