Alzheimer's-linked protein found to be skin deep, but potential new therapies see beauty of it

Article Abstract:

Detection of amyloid beta-protein in tissues other than the brain in patients with Alzheimer's disease (a progressive condition that leads to complete cognitive loss) is changing the way researchers are approaching the disease. It now seems possible that this protein is produced in several other sites besides the brain, where it was first identified. The new findings are the consequence of using immunohistochemical methods with antibodies against amyloid beta-protein made from brain tissue of Alzheimer's patients; with these methods, tissue from 23 of 29 patients was found to contain the protein. In contrast, tissue from only 6 of 24 patients with other neurologic disorders reacted with the antibody. The findings have been reproduced. However, amyloid beta-protein was also present in one healthy control specimen. This fact, plus its apparent absence in some Alzheimer's patients, renders the antibody reaction an imperfect diagnostic test. But what of normal people with amyloid beta-protein in their brains? Will they develop the disease later in life? A related question concerns cause and effect: does the protein cause brain damage, or is it present merely as a by-product of damaged neurons? One line of research suggests that the protein originates in blood vessels, but failure to find a circulating form of amyloid beta-protein has hindered the development of this theory. Three main therapeutic approaches have been spawned by this interest in amyloid: blocking the receptor that binds to the protein precursor of amyloid beta-protein, amyloid precursor protein (APP); inhibiting an enzyme that acts on APP to form amyloid beta-protein; and protecting cells from damage due to amyloid beta-protein. An animal model of Alzheimer's disease based on amyloid-induced damage would also help establish the theory's credibility. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Causes of, Alzheimer's disease

---

Growth factors promote high-dose chemotherapy

Article Abstract:

Cancer patients whose blood cells have been destroyed by chemotherapy may recover faster if they are given progenitor immune cells combined with hematopoietic growth factors. Progenitor immune cells are immature blood cells, and hematopoietic growth factors are compounds that stimulate these cells to develop into mature blood cells. In a group of patients given progenitor immune cells and hematopoietic growth factors, levels of white blood cells returned to normal in six days and levels of platelets - cells involved in blood clotting - returned to normal in four to five days. In patient who received growth factors only, white blood cells returned to normal levels in 11 days and platelets returned to normal in nine days. Patients who receive growth factors and progenitor cells can tolerate doses of chemotherapy that might be lethal without this treatment.

Health aspects, Research, Stem cells, Chemotherapy, Hematopoietic growth factors

---

Health professionals persecuted in violation of their human rights: a partial list of cases

Article Abstract:

The Science and Human Rights Program of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has released its 1993 directory of professionals around the world whose human rights have been violated. Health professionals, scientists, engineers and students are included in the listing. AAAS encourages members of the medical community to write letters to the relevant governments asking that appropriate action be taken on behalf of the prisoners. The list includes physicians and other health professionals arrested, tortured or missing under mysterious circumstances in countries that include Israel, Guatemala, Kenya, Kuwait, Syria, Philippines, Vietnam and Haiti.

Crimes against, Physicians, Medical professions, Directory, Dissenters, Political prisoners

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein screening. Childbearing among older women - the message is cautiously optimistic
• Abstracts: Does personality predict long-term outcome in depression? The genetics of schizophrenia is the genetics of neurodevelopment
• Abstracts: Diagnosis and treatment of orofacial herpes zoster: report of cases. The cracked tooth syndrome: an elusive diagnosis
• Abstracts: Tissue transformation into bone in vivo: a potential practical application
• Abstracts: Cholesterol 'war': dietitians, physicians team up. Criteria for evaluating potential transplant recipients vary among centers, physicians

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.