Check out this video from Reuters (via YouTube). It summarizes an exciting study from researchers at Imperial College London who were able to stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in mice by administering a modified virus to the animals. The virus worked by preventing the formation of the characteristic amyloid plaques that are responsible for causing damage to neurons in the brain. Importantly, the virus did not result in loss of existing brain cells. It will be interesting to see how this research progresses and whether the treatment will not only be safe, but effective for humans some day.
Categories: Illnesses and Injuries, Intelligence and Neuroscience
Tags: Alzheimer's disease, genetic, technology, treatment, virus
Life Lines by Dr. Dolittle 