Image via WikipediaThose with rheumatoid arthritis have a built-in defence against alzheimers disease...
First published at Qondio:
By Peter Petterson
The latest from the newsroom is that those suffering with rheumatoid arthritis, itself a painful condition, appear to have a built-in protection against the effects of the mind-crippling alzheimers disease.
The memory loss associated with alzheimers could actually be reversed in many cases; scientists discovered that rheumatoid arthritis produced a chemical in the body that works on the condition.
Researchers found a protein triggered by rheumatoid arthritis could undo the 'tangles' in the brain that are believed to cause alzheimers disease.
Memory loss associated with alheimers disease was partially reversed by the protein GM-CSF, which also lowered the risk of getting the condition. Scientists at the University of South Florida even found in some cases the memory impairment was completely reversed after treatment.
The fantastic news is the protein known as 'Leukine' is commercially available. The treatment completely reversed cognitive impairment in only 20 days!
It has to be remembered that these tests were with mice; this has to be transfered to the field of human health.
The swollen joints of rheumatoid arhtritis sufferers produce the protein that stimulates scavenger cells in the body. In the tests on laboratory mice, the cells removed deposits left by alzheimers disease.
The study can be read in the 'Journal of Alzheimers Disease'.
Acknowledgements: Telegraph Group
2 comments:
Hi Peter,
This is a very interesting news, I never knew that.
I have since read that the drug concerned that has been on the market, has been withdrawn because of side effects.
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