Scientists Could 'Reverse' Paul Mccartney's Momery Loss !
- From: The Cavern Rat <johnwlsnvll@xxxxxxx>
- Date: 30 Apr 2007 11:28:01 -0700
Mental stimulation and drug treatment could help people with
degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer's recover their
memories, a study says.
Scientists found mice with a similar condition to Alzheimer's were
able to regain memories of tasks they had previously been taught.
A team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found two methods
- brain stimulation and drugs - both worked.
Their findings were published in British journal Nature.
The researchers used genetically engineered mice in which a protein
linked to degenerative brain disease could be triggered.
Scientists had previously given the mice tests where they learnt to
avoid an electric shock and how to find their way through a maze to
reach food.
'Playground' test
After six weeks with the brain disease, the mice were no longer able
to remember how to perform these tasks.
Some of the mice were then placed in a more stimulating environment
with toys, treadmills and other mice.
Even if the brain suffered some very severe neurodegeneration...
there is still the possibility to improve learning ability
Li-Huei Tsai
Neuroscientist
The playground mice were able to remember the shock test far better
than the mice in other cages. They were also better at learning new
things.
Scientists then tested a class of drugs called histone deacetylase, or
HDAC, inhibitors on the mice.
These also improved memory and learning, similar to improvements made
by environmental stimulation.
Neuroscientist Li-Huei Tsai of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and
the Massachusetts Institute of Technology said the results could offer
hope to people with diseases like Alzheimer's.
"We show the first evidence that even if the brain suffered some very
severe neurodegeneration and the individual exhibits very severe
learning impairment and memory loss, there is still the possibility to
improve learning ability and recover to a certain extent lost long-
term memories."
She said the study suggested that in people with degenerative brain
diseases, memories were not erased from the brain, but rather could
not be accessed because of the disease.
She added that while most treatments for Alzheimer's targeted the
disease's early stages, this research showed that even after major
brain damage it was still possible to improve learning and memory.
Dr Susanne Sorensen, head of research, Alzheimer's Society, said:
"These results cannot automatically be translated to people and a lot
more has to be done to narrow the focus on the processes that are
involved.
"However, by demonstrating that lost memories can be accessed again
these results offer hope of a better understanding of what happens to
memories as dementia develops.
"It highlights the role of both an 'enriching environment' and through
its focus on biochemical processes could provide important building
blocks for new treatments to alleviate the symptoms of dementia."
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/hi/health/6606315.stm
Published: 2007/04/29 21:10:35 GMT
© BBC MMVII
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