[Apparelyzed]

Nerve damage repair agent hope

Scientists say they have discovered a protein that could be injected to repair damaged nerves and brain cells.

The protein, KDI tripeptide, works by blocking the harmful effects of a substance present in degenerative brain diseases and spinal cord injuries.

By blocking this substance, called glutamate, KDI prevents permanent cell death and helps the body heal itself.

The Finnish work from the University of Helsinki will be published online by the Journal of Neuroscience Research.

Human trials

So far the researchers have tested KDI in the lab on animals and nerve cells from humans.

The findings have been promising and they hope to be able to begin treating people with nerve and degenerative brain diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, using KDI injections within a year.

Since KDI occurs naturally in some form in the body, researchers do not believe it will have major toxic side effects. None have been noted during their work to date.

Lead researcher Dr Päivi Liesi said: "We have had such good results with animals that I think it is totally feasible we would be ready to start human clinical trials within a year."

Currently, KDI has to be injected as a solution directly to the damaged area.

However, in the future it might be possible to make the treatment as an oral drug or an intravenous injection, said Dr Liesi.

Future promise

Her work builds on that of Dr George Martin from the National Institute on Ageing, at the US National Institutes of Health, who first discovered the molecule that KDI is derived from.

Dr Martin said: "This represents a new approach and one with considerable promise.

"When you look at the potential for preventing spinal cord injury progressing to total lack of physical control, to the fact that people could regenerate and regain their lives, this could be enormously important."

Dr Hugh Pearson, from the Alzheimer's Research Trust and the School of Biomedical Sciences at Leeds University, said: "This is an interesting study, though while the peptide has some significance for Alzheimer's disease treatment, it would be in slowing the mental decline associated with the disease. It does not represent a cure.

Side effects

"KDI will not generate new neurons but will increase the connections between the remaining neurons in the patient's brain.

"There is some evidence that this can improve cognition in Alzheimer's disease patients."

He said there might be problems with delivery of KDI - the tripeptide would be broken down by the body if given orally or intravenously.

Although the researchers do not expect side effects, he said the peptide could upset the balance of electrical activity in neurons and this might have some short to long term side effects.

"While there are some benefits, this approach is perhaps more significant for spinal cord repair than for Alzheimer's disease, where neurite outgrowth and reconnection of nerve cells with their target will provide long-lasting repair of damage."

Source http://news.bbc.co.u...lth/4707023.stm

[azmedi]

June 8th, 2008
Hi,
I found this article all over the internet, it sounds so good.
But it was written in 2005. What happened since? Did they stop the research? Did they found out that it doesn’t work?
Who knows more?
Eva

[edlee]

Releases of this kind are very common, and can have, as a subject, any number of different ailments or conditions.

What one needs to understand is that they are, in no small measure, advertisements.

What makes the research world turn is grants. Money GIVEN to a group of "scientists" to allow them to study their chosen line of research.

Whether that line ever bears fruit doesn't have anything to do with reality,,,it only needs to garner enough publicity to keep them in more grants.

Never try to fool yourself with the idea that these researchers are all altruistic or even trustworthy. They are just looking out for their families , the same as you or me. These grants are what puts their children through med school,,,, and pay for their summer beach houses.

Science,,,, Polotics,,,, Religion,,,,all rotate about the same axis,,,,,MONEY.

The cure will come when the prize is big enough. And as always,,, you know what the prize really is.



Don't you???
ed

[azmedi]

azmedi, on Jun 8 2008, 05:36 PM, said:

June 8th, 2008
Hi,
I found this article all over the internet, it sounds so good.
But it was written in 2005. What happened since? Did they stop the research? Did they found out that it doesn’t work?
Who knows more?
Eva

Thanks Ed,
it is sad, but probably you are right.
But anyway, we should never give up hope!
Have a wonderful day.
Eva

edlee, on Jun 8 2008, 09:43 PM, said:

Releases of this kind are very common, and can have, as a subject, any number of different ailments or conditions.

What one needs to understand is that they are, in no small measure, advertisements.

What makes the research world turn is grants. Money GIVEN to a group of "scientists" to allow them to study their chosen line of research.

Whether that line ever bears fruit doesn't have anything to do with reality,,,it only needs to garner enough publicity to keep them in more grants.

Never try to fool yourself with the idea that these researchers are all altruistic or even trustworthy. They are just looking out for their families , the same as you or me. These grants are what puts their children through med school,,,, and pay for their summer beach houses.

Science,,,, Polotics,,,, Religion,,,,all rotate about the same axis,,,,,MONEY.

The cure will come when the prize is big enough. And as always,,, you know what the prize really is.



Don't you???
ed

Thanks Ed,
it is sad, but probably you are right.
But anyway, we should never give up hope!
Have a wonderful day.
Eva

[topperf]

Hi Ed.

I've been thinking, since i saw your reply, yeah, him Ed's spot on, but honestly, i can't figure out what the prize is? i'm not pulling your leg here, i'm just, well, puzzeled...
thinking, someone might make a buck ore two helping us out.
inlighten me, please.

t.