New research suggests that electromagnetic stimulation may reverse the damage done by Alzheimer’s disease.
New Scientist reports on the research, which was undertaken by Andres Lozano in Toronto, Canada. His research involved implanting electrodes deep into the brain, and then sent pulses of electricity 130 times per second into the hippocampus. A year’s study later showed significant increases in the use of glucose; this is significant because reduced glucose usage is a notable sign of the brain shinking as parts of it are no longer used, especially those parts concerned with memory retention. The process didn’t change the shrinkage in four out of six participants, but the other two recorded growth in their hippocampuses over time — which means it’s time to continue the research. [New Scientist]
Jackson Bison
Thursday, November 24, 2011 at 11:53 AMMy God, people! Have none of you seen Rise of The Planet of The Apes…??!!
This is the beginning of the end!
Rhys
Thursday, November 24, 2011 at 12:20 PMI watched it last night, we are doomed….
Q?
Thursday, November 24, 2011 at 1:32 PMDon’t worry lads the apes cant do any worse then the current Administration.
Peter
Friday, November 25, 2011 at 10:48 AMI for one welcome our new common ancestor overlords.
Daniel
Thursday, November 24, 2011 at 4:04 PMHaha loving the rise of the planet of the apes comments but this really is a good thing, I’m scared of Alzheimer’s as it runs in the family
Jackson Bison
Thursday, November 24, 2011 at 4:27 PMI am more scared of talking apes, but you have a valid point.
Erica
Friday, November 25, 2011 at 10:01 AMI’m scared too as it also runs in my family. Watching it turn my grandmother into a frustrated and confused husk of who she was has been terrible.
Chaoticlusts
Thursday, November 24, 2011 at 7:07 PM*crosses fingers and chants* please let this mean dozens more Pratchett novels, please let this mean dozens more Pratchett novels, please let this mean dozens more Pratchett novels :P
on a larger scale this is fantastic if the research pans out to being practical in large scale application, alzheimers and dementia in general (by the sounds of it this could treat lots of things not just alzheimers) are truly awful conditions
olearymo
Friday, November 25, 2011 at 9:14 AMI didn’t even think of that. Poor Terry. I’m not a big fan, but I admire his work. Hopefully he’s keeping up to date with the latest advancements and holding off on that… er… final action.
Cheshire Cat
Friday, November 25, 2011 at 7:49 PMThat’s exactly what I thought when I saw the title chaoticlusts. Ooooo we can get another 20 years of Pratchett novels.
I just finished exams so will be starting snuff tonight….. Can’t wait. I might go start now actually…perfect reading weather. Cold wet and dark hehe.