close this window
Senior Moments of Research Rodents
Clinical trials are under way for a drug and vaccine that may inhibit the neurotoxin Aβ (or Abeta, if that’s Greek to you), which has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
For this potential breakthrough in the prevention and treatment of a disease that the Alzheimer’s Association says five million Americans now have, we have mice to thank.
A research team recently conducted a study of human and rodent subjects with Alzheimer’s; the results helped the researchers identify the specific area of the hippocampus affected by Abeta. In order to study the progression of a disease that typically takes many decades to manifest in people, mice have been genetically engineered to develop Alzheimer’s over the course of a few months. Dementia in mice is not simply a matter of forgetting how to get through the maze to the cheese. Dr. Scott Small of the Columbia University Medical Center, one of the researchers involved in the study, told Miller-McCune.com that the mice “partially model Alzheimer’s disease by developing hippocampal-dependent memory loss, neuronal ‘cell sickness,’ and increase in the neurotoxin Abeta.”
In order to get images of mice brains, a special MRI device has been developed. Small explained, “My lab has been striving to optimize or develop functional MRI techniques that have cross-species imaging capabilities. The magnet we used [in the recent study] is specifically for mice.” Dr. Small didn’t mention whether an open-scan machine was on the horizon for mice who suffer from claustrophobia, but perhaps that’s not a pressing issue for animals whose wild cousins live in holes in the wall.
word on the street
more in this section
Gender Wage Gap Skewed By Survey Flaws
‘Orcas as Slaves’ Argument Sinks
The Perceived Delicacy of the Female Conductor
Prop Planes: The Future of Eco-Friendly Aviation?
House Puts Transportation in Partisan Crossfire
A Perennial Epicenter, Now for Same-Sex Marriage
Prop 8 May Be Same-Sex Couples’ Least Worry
EarthScope: A Seismic Shift in Data Gathering
Pressure to Conform Can Inspire Creativity
Learning to Read When a School System Falters
also by this author
Amy R. RamosAmy R. Ramos began her career working in local government, where she became familiar with numerous public policy issues, including land use and indige...
Modern Marriage: Standing on CeremonyRegarding same-sex marriage, there’s less daylight than might be expected between religious conservatives and some LGBT activists.
Found in TranslationFormer Mexican President Vicente Fox may be a conservative, but certainly not one recognizable in El Norte.
‘Squeeze’ Against the MachineAuthor Steven Greenhouse’s Rx for better workplaces: tougher enforcement and friendlier policies.
Can Development Reduce Poverty?The economic opportunities found in inner cities should attract private investment, although a nudge from government can overcome traditional inertia.
Moving Inner Cities Out of the Red, Into the BlackResearchers say America’s chronically underserved urban cores are an untapped market that can sustain private investment — and turn themselves around in the process.
Receive 1 year (6 issues) of our print magazine for just $14.95. Miller-McCune features polished, in-depth reports on research and solutions across the policy spectrum — from health care, education and energy to international affairs, poverty and the global economy. It's a must read for well-informed and solutions-driven individuals.
follow us on:
join our newsletter:
from the source
A lot of people say they watch the Super Bowl mostly for the ads. But it turns out a good game surrounding those ads makes them seem better.
After decades of obstacles hindering the voting process, new laws will allow overseas and military voters to submit their votes in time for the 2012 election.
World health leaders announce coordinated push to eradicate or control neglected tropical diseases.
A survey of award-winning children’s picture books from 1938 to 2008 suggests our increasing estrangement from the natural environment.
Rather than moaning about too many cars on the road, the Ridesharing Institute says the real key to battling traffic congestion and pollution is filling empty passenger seats.
