Scientists Re-Grow Cells That Die In Alzheimer's

[barbara]

I am not understanding why the Alzheimer's Society isn't doing more to push the use and approval of GM-CSF for Alzheimer's. It seems like many are more enthused about endless research, than actual treatment of patients that need treatment right now. If GM-CSF is as promising as stated in other articles posted in this forum, then there is no excuse to not make it widely available for Alzheimer's patients right now.


Article Date: 07 Mar 2011

For the first time scientists have been able to re-grow the brain cells that die early in Alzheimer's disease according to a study published in the journal Stem Cells.

Researchers at Northwestern University in Chicago have developed a tool which transforms human embryonic stem cells into basal forebrain cholinergic neurons.

Alzheimer's Society comment

This study is a major step forward in developing treatments for Alzheimer's. For the first time researchers have worked out how to transform stem cells into a specific type of nerve cell that is key in the development of the disease. These findings could help us develop new drugs that could benefit people with Alzheimer's. We now need further research to find out whether these stem cells actually work in the brain. Dementia research is desperately underfunded. We must invest more now if we are to move forward in our understanding of this devastating condition.

Professor Clive Ballard
Director of Research
Alzheimer's Society

Research Reference: Christopher Bissonnette et al. 'The controlled generation of functional basal forebrain cholinergic neurons from human embryonic stem cells', Stem Cells, March 2011

Source:
Alzheimer's Society

[Kaye]

These researchers are only interested in "creating" rather than "treating" disease. It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever not to go forward with a clinical trial for GM-CSF (Leukine) that is already FDA approved for cancer patients. The NIH needs to be held accountable for the amount of money they WASTE each year. These researchers could not afford to fund this type of "research waste" if they had to pay for it. Until taxpayers hold representatives and federal agencies accountable for the wasted dollars this will continue. The sick will NEVER, NEVER be cured as long as our health is considered a job. Not only are we actually paying the dollars they are wasting, we are also paying with our lives! If they cure us, they're out of a job! Talk about the "gold mine" and the "shaft!"

[barbara]

Well said Kaye!