Boy, let us hope this works out! Scientists have discovered that adult stem cells may be able to help restore memory lost to Alzheimer’s dementia. From the story:
Researchers have shown for the first time that neural stem cells can rescue memory destroyed by advanced Alzheimer’s disease, leading to hopes for a treatment for the condition.
American scientists at the University of California have shown for the first time that stem cells injected into the brain can rescue memory in mice, rebuilding neurons and memory. “Essentially, the cells were producing fertiliser for the brain,” said Professor Frank LaFerla, director of the university’s Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders. They examined the mouse brains after the injection and found six per cent of the stem cells had turned into neurons with the majority becoming other types of brain cells which aided growth. The stem cells were found to have secreted a protein called brain-derived neurotropic factor, or BDNF which caused existing tissue to sprout new neuritis – the connections between neurons.
A few points: First, this is not a “cure.” It is very preliminary animal work that may or may not translate into humans. Second, the actual treatment may turn out to be the creation of the neurotropic factor, which might also be produced in greater quantity with pluripotent stem cells, ethically with iPSCs or other alternatively derived forms, or ESCs. Finally, more proof of the utter need for animals in medical research.
Dear Reader,
You have a decision to make: double or nothing.
For this week only, a generous supporter has offered to fully match all new and increased donations to First Things up to $60,000.
In other words, your gift of $50 unlocks $100 for First Things, your gift of $100 unlocks $200, and so on, up to a total of $120,000. But if you don’t give, nothing.
So what will it be, dear reader: double, or nothing?
Make your year-end gift go twice as far for First Things by giving now.
