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Blocking inflammation prevents cell death, improves memory in Alzheimer's disease




"Using a drug compound created to treat cancer, neurobiologists have disarmed the brain's response to the distinctive beta-amyloid plaques that are the hallmark of Alzheimer's disease."




Comentário do Bloguista: Kim Green and colleagues with UCI's Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders found that flushing away the abundant inflammatory cells produced in reaction to beta-amyloid plaques restored memory function in test mice. Their study showed that these cells, called microglia, contribute to the neuronal and memory deficits seen in this neurodegenerative disease. Results appear in the journal Brain.
( "Our findings demonstrate the critical role that inflammation plays in Alzheimer's-related memory and cognitive losses," said Green, an assistant professor of neurobiology & behavior. "While we were successful in removing the elevated microglia resulting from beta-amyloid, further research is required to better understand the link among beta-amyloid, inflammation and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's." )"

The creation of this blog came from a challenge posed to Masters students of Biomedical Sciences of the University of Beira Interior, Covilhã (Portugal), by Professor Doctor José Eduardo Cavaco within the course "Project in Biomedical Sciences''. The Biomedical Sciences combine the areas of Biology, Biochemistry, Physics, Management and Engineering, stimulating the capacity for self learning, critical thinking and adaptation to new technologies. Thus, the Biomedics integration in different areas of the national and international job market is possible as technical supporters in clinical environment, consulting, industry, education and research. For more information: http://www.ubi.pt/Curso/907.

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