Two potentially key genes linked to Alzheimer’s disease discovered : Why is it important ?

dna_alzheimersThis is the big news of today : Two potentially key genes linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease have been uncovered by UK researchers.

What do we know about the disease ?
Professor Julie Williams, who is also chief scientific adviser to the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, said “We have been looking at a specific theory about Alzheimer’s disease but our data shows that there are different things going on. We do not really understand what causes common Alzheimer’s disease. In a few years’ time we might have a very good idea of the full picture.”
Here are a few clues..
First, we know that Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by a build-up of proteins in the brain. Though this cannot be measured in a living person, extensive autopsy studies have revealed this phenomenon.
Second, we don’t really know what causes Alzheimer’s. What we know is that age is the number one factor and two certain genes play an important role.
Among these genes, there are two types a) “risk genes” : they are genes that if present in the individual increase the likelihood of developing the disease b) “deterministic gene” : much rarer than risk genes and only found in a few hundred extended families around the world. If you have it, no doubt you will develop Alzheimer’s.
Why is this discovery important ?
The two genes uncovered by the UK team – CLU and PICALM – are both known to have protective roles in the brain. Changes in the genes may either remove that protective effect or turn the “protectors into attackers”, the researchers said.
One of the team, Professor Kevin Morgan from the University of Nottingham, explained that the pathways highlighted by the discovery include those involved in the turnover of cholesterol and part of the immune system involved in inflammation.
So with these genes, scientist can find ways to lower cholesterol and inflammation in the brain.
The nest question is if we are able in the future to produce drugs to lower cholesterol and reduce inflammation, could we modify the risk of people getting Alzheimer’s disease ?
Written by Health Link - I maintain this blog because i like to keep a trace of various Health news through time. I have a wide ranging interest of subject from Massage to Reflexology and other alternative medecines. But the bulk of my interest are scientific discoveries. Visit my website -> Reflexology London
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It is possible to treating Psoriasis with UVB light and it is easy

I have a friend which has patched of psoriasis under her arms and under her belly button. It is very itchy at times.
She is from Italy and whenver she goes back to the sun and the sea, the psoriasis fades away.
I am very happy to read this article on the bbc site that reports that is is actually easy to replicate the UVB treatment that you get in hospitals but in your home.
The bbc site reports that ultraviolet (UV) treatment of psoriasis is just as safe when carried out at home as when performed in a clinic, say a study conducted by researchers from Netherlands, and published in the British Medical Journal.
What is Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease in which scaly red patches form on the skin. Because UV radiation is known to suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation, UVA and UVB rays are commonly used to alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis. The treatment lasts eight to ten weeks, however, with three visits per week. Because the treatment must currently be performed at a hospital, this can impose a significant burden on some patients.
Purpose of the Research and findings
Researchers compared the effects of UVB therapy on 200 psoriasis patients who were treated either at a hospital or with a home UVB phototherapy unit. They found that there was no significant difference between the two types of treatment in safety or effectiveness, and that patients who received treatment at home reported higher levels of satisfaction and perceived the treatment as less of a burden than those treated at a hospital.
Comments
“We knew a lot of dermatologists are not convinced of the safety and effectiveness of UVB phototherapy but our theory was they should be equally safe,” said lead researcher Mayke Koek. “One of the most important findings was a lot of patients treated at home were more satisfied.”
Alex Anstey of Royal Gwent Hospital in Wales said that limiting UV treatments to hospital settings restricts medical care to those who live near big hospitals.
“In my area there are very large numbers of people who don’t have access to phototherapy,” he said, “which is a shame as it’s a very effective and safe treatment.”
Tell me about your experience in comments
A UVB treatment bed costs between £5,000 and £10,000 ($8,000-$16,000) !! This is way too expensive to my liking.
I wonder wether any of you my readers have bought a UVB lamp and did any self treatment ?

I have a friend which has patched of psoriasis under her arms and under her belly button. It is very itchy at times.

She is from Italy and whenever she goes back to the sun and the sea, the psoriasis fades away.

I am very happy to read this article on the BBC site that reports that is is actually easy to replicate the UVB treatment that you get in hospitals but in your home.

The BBC site reports that ultraviolet (UV) treatment of psoriasis is just as safe when carried out at home as when performed in a clinic, say a study conducted by researchers from Netherlands, and published in the British Medical Journal.

What is Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease in which scaly red patches form on the skin. Because UV radiation is known to suppress the immune system and reduce inflammation, UVA and UVB rays are commonly used to alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis. The treatment lasts eight to ten weeks, however, with three visits per week. Because the treatment must currently be performed at a hospital, this can impose a significant burden on some patients.

Purpose of the Research and findings

Researchers compared the effects of UVB therapy on 200 psoriasis patients who were treated either at a hospital or with a home UVB phototherapy unit. They found that there was no significant difference between the two types of treatment in safety or effectiveness, and that patients who received treatment at home reported higher levels of satisfaction and perceived the treatment as less of a burden than those treated at a hospital.

Comments

“We knew a lot of dermatologists are not convinced of the safety and effectiveness of UVB photo therapy but our theory was they should be equally safe,” said lead researcher Mayke Koek. “One of the most important findings was a lot of patients treated at home were more satisfied.”

Alex Anstey of Royal Gwent Hospital in Wales said that limiting UV treatments to hospital settings restricts medical care to those who live near big hospitals.

“In my area there are very large numbers of people who don’t have access to photo therapy,” he said, “which is a shame as it’s a very effective and safe treatment.”

Tell me about your experience in comments

A UVB treatment bed costs between £5,000 and £10,000 ($8,000-$16,000) !! This is way too expensive to my liking.

I wonder wether any of you my readers have bought a UVB lamp and did any self treatment ?

What about this ? Does it work? Dermfix 900 UVB Lamp (not a promotion).  Hum i suppose that if this worked there would be many comments on the page…

Written by Health Link - I maintain this blog because i like to keep a trace of various Health news through time. I have a wide ranging interest of subject from Massage to Reflexology and other alternative medecines. But the bulk of my interest are scientific discoveries. Visit my website -> Reflexology London
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